diff --git a/system/jlib/jfile.cpp b/system/jlib/jfile.cpp
index 03a20cf257b..9791c60ff30 100644
--- a/system/jlib/jfile.cpp
+++ b/system/jlib/jfile.cpp
@@ -7432,8 +7432,11 @@ static bool isAvoidRenameEnabled()
     if (-1 == avoidRename)
     {
         CriticalBlock b(avoidRenameCS);
-        avoidRename = getComponentConfigSP()->getPropBool("expert/@avoidRename");
-        DBGLOG("FileSystemProperties.canRename = %s", boolToStr(avoidRename));
+        if (-1 == avoidRename)
+        {
+            avoidRename = getComponentConfigSP()->getPropBool("expert/@avoidRename");
+            DBGLOG("FileSystemProperties.canRename = %s", boolToStr(!avoidRename)); // NB: canRename if !avoidRename
+        }
     }
     return avoidRename;
 }