diff --git a/backend/open_webui/routers/auths.py b/backend/open_webui/routers/auths.py
index 16db98ff5..a3f2e8b32 100644
--- a/backend/open_webui/routers/auths.py
+++ b/backend/open_webui/routers/auths.py
@@ -423,7 +423,6 @@ async def signin(request: Request, response: Response, form_data: SigninForm):
 
 @router.post("/signup", response_model=SessionUserResponse)
 async def signup(request: Request, response: Response, form_data: SignupForm):
-    user_count = Users.get_num_users()
 
     if WEBUI_AUTH:
         if (
@@ -434,11 +433,12 @@ async def signup(request: Request, response: Response, form_data: SignupForm):
                 status.HTTP_403_FORBIDDEN, detail=ERROR_MESSAGES.ACCESS_PROHIBITED
             )
     else:
-        if user_count != 0:
+        if Users.get_num_users() != 0:
             raise HTTPException(
                 status.HTTP_403_FORBIDDEN, detail=ERROR_MESSAGES.ACCESS_PROHIBITED
             )
 
+    user_count = Users.get_num_users()
     if request.app.state.USER_COUNT and user_count >= request.app.state.USER_COUNT:
         raise HTTPException(
             status.HTTP_403_FORBIDDEN, detail=ERROR_MESSAGES.ACCESS_PROHIBITED