diff --git a/Assets/Mirror/Core/InterestManagementBase.cs b/Assets/Mirror/Core/InterestManagementBase.cs
index aef7a651a..8fed86860 100644
--- a/Assets/Mirror/Core/InterestManagementBase.cs
+++ b/Assets/Mirror/Core/InterestManagementBase.cs
@@ -9,24 +9,17 @@ namespace Mirror
     [HelpURL("https://mirror-networking.gitbook.io/docs/guides/interest-management")]
     public abstract class InterestManagementBase : MonoBehaviour
     {
-        // Configures InterestManagementBase in NetworkServer/Client
-        // Do NOT check for active server or client here.
-        // OnEnable must always set the static aoi references.
-        // make sure to call base.OnEnable when overwriting!
-        // Previously used Awake()
+        // initialize NetworkServer/Client .aoi.
+        // previously we did this in Awake(), but that's called for disabled
+        // components too. if we do it OnEnable(), then it's not set for
+        // disabled components.
         protected virtual void OnEnable()
         {
-            if (NetworkServer.aoi == null)
-            {
-                NetworkServer.aoi = this;
-            }
-            else Debug.LogError($"Only one InterestManagement component allowed. {NetworkServer.aoi.GetType()} has been set up already.");
-
-            if (NetworkClient.aoi == null)
-            {
-                NetworkClient.aoi = this;
-            }
-            else Debug.LogError($"Only one InterestManagement component allowed. {NetworkClient.aoi.GetType()} has been set up already.");
+            // do not check if == null or error if already set.
+            // users may enabled/disable components randomly,
+            // causing this to be called multiple times.
+            NetworkServer.aoi = this;
+            NetworkClient.aoi = this;
         }
 
         [ServerCallback]