diff --git a/nucypher/blockchain/eth/actors.py b/nucypher/blockchain/eth/actors.py
index 4bc94663a..35c33e6d1 100644
--- a/nucypher/blockchain/eth/actors.py
+++ b/nucypher/blockchain/eth/actors.py
@@ -1459,15 +1459,14 @@ class Worker(NucypherTokenActor):
         self.__start_time = WORKER_NOT_RUNNING
         self.__uptime_period = WORKER_NOT_RUNNING
 
-        # Workers cannot be started without being assigned a stake first.
         if is_me:
             if block_until_ready:
+                # Workers cannot be started before bonding.
                 self.block_until_ready()
-
+            self.stakes = StakeList(registry=self.registry, checksum_address=self.checksum_address)
+            self.stakes.refresh()
+            self.work_tracker = work_tracker or WorkTracker(worker=self)
             if start_working_now:
-                self.stakes = StakeList(registry=self.registry, checksum_address=self.checksum_address)
-                self.stakes.refresh()
-                self.work_tracker = work_tracker or WorkTracker(worker=self)
                 self.work_tracker.start(act_now=start_working_now)
 
     def block_until_ready(self, poll_rate: int = None, timeout: int = None, feedback_rate: int = None):
diff --git a/nucypher/characters/lawful.py b/nucypher/characters/lawful.py
index 1fa687d7f..4d1a4cd94 100644
--- a/nucypher/characters/lawful.py
+++ b/nucypher/characters/lawful.py
@@ -1057,7 +1057,7 @@ class Ursula(Teacher, Character, Worker):
                  block_until_ready: bool = True,
                  # TODO: Must be true in order to set staker address - Allow for manual staker addr to be passed too!
                  work_tracker: WorkTracker = None,
-                 start_working_now: bool = True,
+                 start_working_now: bool = False,
                  client_password: str = None,
 
                  # Character
@@ -1260,14 +1260,14 @@ class Ursula(Teacher, Character, Worker):
 
     def run(self,
             emitter: StdoutEmitter = None,
-            hendrix: bool = True,
-            learning: bool = True,
+            discovery: bool = True,
             availability: bool = True,
             worker: bool = True,
             pruning: bool = True,
             interactive: bool = False,
+            hendrix: bool = True,
             start_reactor: bool = True,
-            prometheus_config: 'PrometheusMetricsConfig' = None,
+            prometheus_config: 'PrometheusMetricsConfig' = None
             ) -> None:
 
         """Schedule and start select ursula services, then optionally start the reactor."""