diff --git a/library/Icinga/Authentication/Manager.php b/library/Icinga/Authentication/Manager.php
index f8081aa23..15d3e2612 100644
--- a/library/Icinga/Authentication/Manager.php
+++ b/library/Icinga/Authentication/Manager.php
@@ -111,7 +111,9 @@ class Manager
         if (isset($options["groupBackendClass"])) {
             $this->groupBackend = $options["groupBackendClass"];
         } else {
-            $this->groupBackend = $this->initBestBackend(self::BACKEND_TYPE_GROUP, $config);
+            // @TODO(mh): Re-enable when ready (#4624)
+            // Deactivated, logging error messages breaks bootstrap
+            // $this->groupBackend = $this->initBestBackend(self::BACKEND_TYPE_GROUP, $config);
         }
 
         if (!isset($options["sessionClass"])) {