diff --git a/src/app_runtime/core/runtime.py b/src/app_runtime/core/runtime.py
index aaad5e0..28f52d0 100644
--- a/src/app_runtime/core/runtime.py
+++ b/src/app_runtime/core/runtime.py
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ class RuntimeManager:
         self.configuration.add_provider(provider)
         return provider
 
-    def start(self) -> None:
+    def start(self, *, start_control_plane: bool = True) -> None:
         if self._started:
             return
         self._state = LifecycleState.STARTING
@@ -56,7 +56,8 @@ class RuntimeManager:
         self._register_health_contributors()
         self._register_workers()
         self.workers.start()
-        self.control_plane.start(self)
+        if start_control_plane:
+            self.control_plane.start(self)
         self._started = True
         self._refresh_state()
 
@@ -84,7 +85,7 @@ class RuntimeManager:
     async def start_runtime(self) -> str:
         if self._started:
             return "runtime already running"
-        self.start()
+        self.start(start_control_plane=False)
         return "runtime started"
 
     async def stop_runtime(self) -> str: