diff --git a/src/ui/index.js b/src/ui/index.js
index 94e6274521d65..c8963ddc65c1c 100644
--- a/src/ui/index.js
+++ b/src/ui/index.js
@@ -71,12 +71,15 @@ export default async (kbnServer, server, config) => {
       basePath: config.get('server.basePath'),
       serverName: config.get('server.name'),
       uiSettings: {
-        defaults: await uiSettings.getDefaults(),
-        user: await uiSettings.getUserProvided()
+        defaults: await uiSettings.getDefaults()
       },
       vars: defaults(app.getInjectedVars() || {}, uiExports.defaultInjectedVars),
     };
 
+    if (server.plugins.elasticsearch.status.state !== 'red') {
+      payload.uiSettings.user = await uiSettings.getUserProvided();
+    }
+
     return this.view(app.templateName, {
       app: app,
       loadingGif: loadingGif,