diff --git a/services/web/app/src/Features/Project/ProjectCreationHandler.js b/services/web/app/src/Features/Project/ProjectCreationHandler.js
index 08cf1abc88..687993a7fa 100644
--- a/services/web/app/src/Features/Project/ProjectCreationHandler.js
+++ b/services/web/app/src/Features/Project/ProjectCreationHandler.js
@@ -158,7 +158,9 @@ async function _createBlankProject(
   attributes.name = projectName
   const project = new Project(attributes)
 
-  if (project.overleaf.history.id == null) {
+  // Initialise the history unless the caller has overridden it in the attributes
+  // (to allow scripted creation of projects without full project history)
+  if (project.overleaf.history.id == null && !attributes.overleaf) {
     const historyId = await HistoryManager.promises.initializeProject(
       project._id
     )