diff --git a/apps/files_external/lib/Lib/Auth/Password/UserGlobalAuth.php b/apps/files_external/lib/Lib/Auth/Password/UserGlobalAuth.php
index 8ea9ad0f78..345a0d6f6a 100644
--- a/apps/files_external/lib/Lib/Auth/Password/UserGlobalAuth.php
+++ b/apps/files_external/lib/Lib/Auth/Password/UserGlobalAuth.php
@@ -50,6 +50,11 @@ class UserGlobalAuth extends AuthMechanism {
 	}
 
 	public function saveBackendOptions(IUser $user, $id, $backendOptions) {
+		// backendOptions are set when invoked via Files app
+		// but they are not set when invoked via ext storage settings
+		if(!isset($backendOptions['user']) && !isset($backendOptions['password'])) {
+			return;
+		}
 		// make sure we're not setting any unexpected keys
 		$credentials = [
 			'user' => $backendOptions['user'],