diff --git a/cron/scheduler.py b/cron/scheduler.py
index a51ade8efe65..ce958c184e68 100644
--- a/cron/scheduler.py
+++ b/cron/scheduler.py
@@ -1889,8 +1889,9 @@ def tick(verbose: bool = True, adapters=None, loop=None) -> int:
     try:
         due_jobs = get_due_jobs()
 
-        if verbose and not due_jobs:
-            logger.info("%s - No jobs due", _hermes_now().strftime('%H:%M:%S'))
+        if not due_jobs:
+            if verbose:
+                logger.info("%s - No jobs due", _hermes_now().strftime('%H:%M:%S'))
             return 0
 
         if verbose:
diff --git a/tests/cron/test_scheduler.py b/tests/cron/test_scheduler.py
index 94587fccedd1..e50b2ed8b28c 100644
--- a/tests/cron/test_scheduler.py
+++ b/tests/cron/test_scheduler.py
@@ -2584,3 +2584,16 @@ def fake_run_coro(coro, _loop):
         # 2. Second file still got dispatched — one timeout doesn't abort the batch
         adapter.send_video.assert_called_once()
         assert adapter.send_video.call_args[1]["video_path"] == str(fast.resolve())
+
+
+def test_tick_skips_config_load_when_no_jobs_due(tmp_path):
+    """Idle cron ticks should return before config/home churn."""
+    from cron import scheduler as sched
+
+    with patch("cron.scheduler._hermes_home", tmp_path), \
+         patch("cron.scheduler.get_due_jobs", return_value=[]), \
+         patch("cron.scheduler.load_config") as mock_load_config:
+        result = sched.tick(verbose=False)
+
+    assert result == 0
+    mock_load_config.assert_not_called()