diff --git a/WHATS_NEW b/WHATS_NEW
index 5887ec7..d0e0cd4 100644
--- a/WHATS_NEW
+++ b/WHATS_NEW
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 Version 2.02.99 - 
 ===================================
+  Initialize lvmetad lazily to avoid early socket access on config overrides.
   Hardcode use_lvmetad=0 if cluster locking used and issue a warning msg.
 
 Version 2.02.98 - 15th October 2012
diff --git a/lib/cache/lvmetad.c b/lib/cache/lvmetad.c
index 6a374ac..72e07fd 100644
--- a/lib/cache/lvmetad.c
+++ b/lib/cache/lvmetad.c
@@ -33,7 +33,8 @@ static struct cmd_context *_lvmetad_cmd = NULL;
 
 void lvmetad_disconnect(void)
 {
-	daemon_close(_lvmetad);
+	if (_lvmetad_connected)
+		daemon_close(_lvmetad);
 	_lvmetad_connected = 0;
 	_lvmetad_cmd = NULL;
 }
@@ -41,19 +42,25 @@ void lvmetad_disconnect(void)
 void lvmetad_init(struct cmd_context *cmd)
 {
 	if (!_lvmetad_use && !access(LVMETAD_PIDFILE, F_OK))
-		log_warn("WARNING: lvmetad is running but disabled. Restart lvmetad before enabling it!");
+		log_warn("WARNING: lvmetad is running but disabled."
+			 " Restart lvmetad before enabling it!");
+	_lvmetad_cmd = cmd;
+}
+
+static void _lvmetad_connect()
+{
 	if (_lvmetad_use && _lvmetad_socket && !_lvmetad_connected) {
 		assert(_lvmetad_socket);
 		_lvmetad = lvmetad_open(_lvmetad_socket);
-		if (_lvmetad.socket_fd >= 0 && !_lvmetad.error) {
+		if (_lvmetad.socket_fd >= 0 && !_lvmetad.error)
 			_lvmetad_connected = 1;
-			_lvmetad_cmd = cmd;
-		}
 	}
 }
 
 void lvmetad_warning(void)
 {
+	if (!_lvmetad_connected)
+		_lvmetad_connect();
 	if (_lvmetad_use && (_lvmetad.socket_fd < 0 || _lvmetad.error))
 		log_warn("WARNING: Failed to connect to lvmetad: %s. Falling back to internal scanning.",
 			 strerror(_lvmetad.error));
@@ -61,7 +68,11 @@ void lvmetad_warning(void)
 
 int lvmetad_active(void)
 {
-	return _lvmetad_use && _lvmetad_connected;
+	if (!_lvmetad_use)
+		return 0;
+	if (!_lvmetad_connected)
+		_lvmetad_connect();
+	return _lvmetad_connected;
 }
 
 void lvmetad_set_active(int active)
@@ -873,6 +884,11 @@ int lvmetad_pvscan_all_devs(struct cmd_context *cmd, activation_handler handler)
 	char *future_token;
 	int was_silent;
 
+	if (!lvmetad_active()) {
+		log_error("Cannot proceed since lvmetad is not active.");
+		return 0;
+	}
+
 	if (!(iter = dev_iter_create(cmd->lvmetad_filter, 1))) {
 		log_error("dev_iter creation failed");
 		return 0;
diff --git a/test/shell/lvmetad-override.sh b/test/shell/lvmetad-override.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3fb281a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/shell/lvmetad-override.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+# Copyright (C) 2012 Red Hat, Inc. All rights reserved.
+#
+# This copyrighted material is made available to anyone wishing to use,
+# modify, copy, or redistribute it subject to the terms and conditions
+# of the GNU General Public License v.2.
+#
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+# along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation,
+# Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA  02111-1307  USA
+
+. lib/test
+
+test -e LOCAL_LVMETAD || skip
+aux prepare_pvs 2
+
+vgcreate $vg1 $dev1 $dev2
+lvchange -ay $vg1 2>&1 | not grep "Failed to connect"
+kill $(cat LOCAL_LVMETAD)
+lvchange -ay $vg1 2>&1 | grep "Failed to connect"
+lvchange -ay $vg1 --sysinit 2>&1 | not grep "Failed to connect"
+lvchange -ay $vg1 --config 'global { use_lvmetad = 0 }' 2>&1 | not grep "Failed to connect"
+aux lvmconf "global/use_lvmetad = 0"
+lvchange -ay $vg1 --config 'global { use_lvmetad = 1 }' 2>&1 | grep "Failed to connect"
+