Control database update at startup?

[Kurantje]

Question

Is there a way to prevent MPD from automatically updating its database on startup?
If so, should this be configured in mpd.conf or mpd.service? Other?
Your help is greatly appreciated! Best, Onno

Context

I have several thousand MP3 files in a dozen directories.
When MPD starts, it automatically updates its database with these mp3 files.
I run MPD 0.24.4 on Raspberry PI OS Lite (64-bit) - Debian GNU/Linux 13 (trixie)
On my Raspberry Pi 3, a clean-install database update takes about 1–2 minutes.

My Python project includes a preset button that points to a specific directory, say Po80s.
Playback fails if MPD hasn’t yet indexed that directory during the startup update.

I’d like MPD to start without updating the database, so I can manually run:

mpc update Pop80s

to quickly index just the needed directory, and later:

mpc update

to update the rest of the collection in the background.

What I Tried

Checked the auto_update setting in mpd.conf, but it only controls live filesystem monitoring, not startup behavior.
Looked through the mpd.service unit file — no ExecStartPre or other commands that trigger updates on start.
Searched documentation and forums but couldn’t find a setting to disable the initial update.

[MaxKellermann]

MPD updates the database on startup only if it does not yet exist. Sounds like there's something wrong with your setup. Check the log file (in verbose mode).

[Kurantje]

Ok... thanks for the hint.
Indeed, I delete the tag-cache before starting mpd, by consequence triggering the update.
To stop mpd from updating I can start with an empty database. I think I can find a way, but maybe you have a tip how I can create this?
Still, a command line option would be easier: something for future version?

[Kurantje]

Validated: I install an empty database, start mpd service: no update started 👍
I then start my Pyton which calls mpc update 'directory' and can play this directory neigh to immediately.
Thanks for pointing out the solution.