diff --git a/lib/import/ldap/user.rb b/lib/import/ldap/user.rb
index a71415aea..670108da2 100644
--- a/lib/import/ldap/user.rb
+++ b/lib/import/ldap/user.rb
@@ -89,7 +89,10 @@ module Import
         update_roles        = role_ids(resource)
         resource[:role_ids] = update_roles if update_roles
 
-        user_found = super
+        user_found = false
+        import_class.without_callback(:update, :after, :avatar_for_email_check) do
+          user_found = super
+        end
 
         # in case a User was found and we had no roles
         # to set/update we have to note the currently
@@ -156,12 +159,14 @@ module Import
       end
 
       def create(resource, *_args)
-
         # this is needed for the special case described in the role_ids method
         #
         # in case we have no role IDs yet we have to fall back to the signup roles
         resource[:role_ids] ||= @signup_role_ids
-        super
+
+        import_class.without_callback(:create, :after, :avatar_for_email_check) do
+          super
+        end
       rescue => e
         ldap_log(
           action:   "create -> #{resource[:login]}",
diff --git a/spec/lib/import/ldap/user_spec.rb b/spec/lib/import/ldap/user_spec.rb
index f112b4ecd..e7dc10e08 100644
--- a/spec/lib/import/ldap/user_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/lib/import/ldap/user_spec.rb
@@ -48,6 +48,13 @@ RSpec.describe Import::Ldap::User do
       }.by(1)
     end
 
+    it "doesn't contact avatar webservice" do
+      # sadly we can't ensure that there are no
+      # outgoing HTTP calls with WebMock
+      expect(Avatar).not_to receive(:auto_detection)
+      described_class.new(user_entry, ldap_config, user_roles, signup_role_ids)
+    end
+
     it 'creates an HTTP Log entry' do
       expect do
         described_class.new(user_entry, ldap_config, user_roles, signup_role_ids)
@@ -124,6 +131,13 @@ RSpec.describe Import::Ldap::User do
       }
     end
 
+    it "doesn't contact avatar webservice" do
+      # sadly we can't ensure that there are no
+      # outgoing HTTP calls with WebMock
+      expect(Avatar).not_to receive(:auto_detection)
+      described_class.new(user_entry, ldap_config, user_roles, signup_role_ids)
+    end
+
     it "doesn't change roles if no role mapping is configured" do
       expect do
         described_class.new(user_entry, ldap_config, {}, signup_role_ids)