diff --git a/scripts/distributed.py b/scripts/distributed.py
index 2fe90a7..5d2208a 100644
--- a/scripts/distributed.py
+++ b/scripts/distributed.py
@@ -62,7 +62,9 @@ class DistributedScript(scripts.Script):
         return scripts.AlwaysVisible
 
     def ui(self, is_img2img):
-        self.world.load_config()
+        if not is_img2img:  # prevents loading twice for no reason
+            self.world.load_config()
+
         extension_ui = UI(world=self.world)
         # root, api_exposed = extension_ui.create_ui()
         components = extension_ui.create_ui()
diff --git a/scripts/spartan/world.py b/scripts/spartan/world.py
index 2c72a28..f555ca1 100644
--- a/scripts/spartan/world.py
+++ b/scripts/spartan/world.py
@@ -145,6 +145,14 @@ class World:
             Worker: The worker object.
         """
 
+        # protect against user trying to make cyclical setups and connections
+        is_master = kwargs.get('master')
+        if is_master is None or not is_master:
+            m = self.master()
+            if kwargs['address'] == m.address and kwargs['port'] == m.port:
+                logger.error(f"refusing to add worker {kwargs['label']} as its socket definition({m.address}:{m.port}) matches master")
+                return None
+
         original = self[kwargs['label']]  # if worker doesn't already exist then just make a new one
         if original is None:
             new = Worker(**kwargs)