diff --git a/caddy/php-server.go b/caddy/php-server.go
index 69ab3df4ec..66101cc719 100644
--- a/caddy/php-server.go
+++ b/caddy/php-server.go
@@ -213,7 +213,7 @@ func cmdPHPServer(fs caddycmd.Flags) (int, error) {
 		}
 
 		br, err := caddy.GetModule("http.encoders.br")
-		if err != nil {
+		if err != nil && brotli {
 			return caddy.ExitCodeFailedStartup, err
 		}