diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index 722a0f2cf3..c3fc723502 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -6075,6 +6075,7 @@ version = "0.10.0"
 dependencies = [
  "atomicwrites",
  "authc",
+ "bincode",
  "chrono",
  "crossbeam-channel",
  "futures-util",
diff --git a/server-cli/Cargo.toml b/server-cli/Cargo.toml
index bbe0bd15f4..3df973d6d9 100644
--- a/server-cli/Cargo.toml
+++ b/server-cli/Cargo.toml
@@ -16,9 +16,10 @@ This package includes the official server CLI.
 
 [features]
 worldgen = ["server/worldgen"]
+persistent_world = ["server/persistent_world"]
 # needed to stay compatible with voxygens format
 default-publish = ["default"]
-default = ["worldgen"]
+default = ["worldgen", "persistent_world"]
 tracy = ["common-frontend/tracy"]
 plugins = ["server/plugins"]
 
diff --git a/server/Cargo.toml b/server/Cargo.toml
index e3d71259c7..a1855ae590 100644
--- a/server/Cargo.toml
+++ b/server/Cargo.toml
@@ -8,8 +8,9 @@ edition = "2018"
 worldgen = []
 simd = ["vek/platform_intrinsics"]
 plugins = ["common-state/plugins"]
+persistent_world = []
 
-default = ["worldgen", "plugins", "simd"]
+default = ["worldgen", "plugins", "simd", "persistent_world"]
 
 [dependencies]
 common = { package = "veloren-common", path = "../common" }
diff --git a/server/src/cmd.rs b/server/src/cmd.rs
index f706b68a0f..1d3ed22303 100644
--- a/server/src/cmd.rs
+++ b/server/src/cmd.rs
@@ -529,6 +529,7 @@ fn handle_make_block(
             let new_block = Block::new(bk, Rgb::new(r, g, b).map(|e| e.unwrap_or(255)));
             let pos = pos.0.map(|e| e.floor() as i32);
             server.state.set_block(pos, new_block);
+            #[cfg(feature = "persistent_world")]
             if let Some(terrain_persistence) = server
                 .state
                 .ecs()
@@ -564,6 +565,7 @@ fn handle_make_sprite(
                 .unwrap_or_else(|| Block::air(SpriteKind::Empty))
                 .with_sprite(sk);
             server.state.set_block(pos, new_block);
+            #[cfg(feature = "persistent_world")]
             if let Some(terrain_persistence) = server
                 .state
                 .ecs()
diff --git a/server/src/lib.rs b/server/src/lib.rs
index c7dca932c8..10e6d06fc6 100644
--- a/server/src/lib.rs
+++ b/server/src/lib.rs
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ pub mod rtsim;
 pub mod settings;
 pub mod state_ext;
 pub mod sys;
+#[cfg(feature = "persistent_world")]
 pub mod terrain_persistence;
 #[cfg(not(feature = "worldgen"))] mod test_world;
 pub mod wiring;
@@ -44,6 +45,8 @@ pub use crate::{
     settings::{EditableSettings, Settings},
 };
 
+#[cfg(feature = "persistent_world")]
+use crate::terrain_persistence::TerrainPersistence;
 use crate::{
     alias_validator::AliasValidator,
     chunk_generator::ChunkGenerator,
@@ -56,7 +59,6 @@ use crate::{
     rtsim::RtSim,
     state_ext::StateExt,
     sys::sentinel::{DeletedEntities, TrackedComps},
-    terrain_persistence::TerrainPersistence,
 };
 #[cfg(not(feature = "worldgen"))]
 use common::grid::Grid;
@@ -219,15 +221,23 @@ impl Server {
         state.ecs_mut().insert(tick_metrics);
         state.ecs_mut().insert(physics_metrics);
         if settings.experimental_terrain_persistence {
-            warn!(
-                "Experimental terrain persistence support is enabled. This feature may break, be \
-                 disabled, or otherwise change under your feet at *any time*. Additionally, it is \
-                 expected to be replaced in the future *without* migration or warning. You have \
-                 been warned."
+            #[cfg(feature = "persistent_world")]
+            {
+                warn!(
+                    "Experimental terrain persistence support is enabled. This feature may break, \
+                     be disabled, or otherwise change under your feet at *any time*. \
+                     Additionally, it is expected to be replaced in the future *without* \
+                     migration or warning. You have been warned."
+                );
+                state
+                    .ecs_mut()
+                    .insert(TerrainPersistence::new(data_dir.to_owned()));
+            }
+            #[cfg(not(feature = "persistent_world"))]
+            error!(
+                "Experimental terrain persistence support was requested, but the server was not \
+                 compiled with the feature. Terrain modifications will *not* be persisted."
             );
-            state
-                .ecs_mut()
-                .insert(TerrainPersistence::new(data_dir.to_owned()));
         }
         state
             .ecs_mut()
@@ -874,6 +884,7 @@ impl Server {
         self.state.cleanup();
 
         // Maintain persisted terrain
+        #[cfg(feature = "persistent_world")]
         self.state
             .ecs()
             .try_fetch_mut::<TerrainPersistence>()
@@ -1253,8 +1264,11 @@ impl Server {
 impl Drop for Server {
     fn drop(&mut self) {
         self.metrics_shutdown.notify_one();
+
         self.state
             .notify_players(ServerGeneral::Disconnect(DisconnectReason::Shutdown));
+
+        #[cfg(feature = "persistent_world")]
         self.state
             .ecs()
             .try_fetch_mut::<TerrainPersistence>()
diff --git a/server/src/sys/msg/in_game.rs b/server/src/sys/msg/in_game.rs
index ebbe0b103d..296864c78c 100644
--- a/server/src/sys/msg/in_game.rs
+++ b/server/src/sys/msg/in_game.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
-use crate::{client::Client, presence::Presence, Settings, TerrainPersistence};
+#[cfg(feature = "persistent_world")]
+use crate::TerrainPersistence;
+use crate::{client::Client, presence::Presence, Settings};
 use common::{
     comp::{
         Admin, CanBuild, ControlEvent, Controller, ForceUpdate, Health, Ori, Player, Pos, SkillSet,
@@ -16,6 +18,11 @@ use specs::{Entities, Join, Read, ReadExpect, ReadStorage, Write, WriteStorage};
 use tracing::{debug, trace, warn};
 use vek::*;
 
+#[cfg(feature = "persistent_world")]
+pub type TerrainPersistenceData<'a> = Option<Write<'a, TerrainPersistence>>;
+#[cfg(not(feature = "persistent_world"))]
+pub type TerrainPersistenceData<'a> = ();
+
 impl Sys {
     #[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
     fn handle_client_in_game_msg(
@@ -36,7 +43,7 @@ impl Sys {
         settings: &Read<'_, Settings>,
         build_areas: &Read<'_, BuildAreas>,
         player_physics_settings: &mut Write<'_, PlayerPhysicsSettings>,
-        terrain_persistence: &mut Option<Write<'_, TerrainPersistence>>,
+        _terrain_persistence: &mut TerrainPersistenceData<'_>,
         maybe_player: &Option<&Player>,
         maybe_admin: &Option<&Admin>,
         msg: ClientGeneral,
@@ -200,9 +207,10 @@ impl Sys {
                                 .and_then(|_| terrain.get(pos).ok())
                             {
                                 let new_block = old_block.into_vacant();
-                                let was_placed = block_changes.try_set(pos, new_block).is_some();
-                                if was_placed {
-                                    if let Some(terrain_persistence) = terrain_persistence.as_mut()
+                                let _was_set = block_changes.try_set(pos, new_block).is_some();
+                                #[cfg(feature = "persistent_world")]
+                                if _was_set {
+                                    if let Some(terrain_persistence) = _terrain_persistence.as_mut()
                                     {
                                         terrain_persistence.set_block(pos, new_block);
                                     }
@@ -224,9 +232,10 @@ impl Sys {
                                 .filter(|aabb| aabb.contains_point(pos))
                                 .is_some()
                             {
-                                let was_placed = block_changes.try_set(pos, new_block).is_some();
-                                if was_placed {
-                                    if let Some(terrain_persistence) = terrain_persistence.as_mut()
+                                let _was_set = block_changes.try_set(pos, new_block).is_some();
+                                #[cfg(feature = "persistent_world")]
+                                if _was_set {
+                                    if let Some(terrain_persistence) = _terrain_persistence.as_mut()
                                     {
                                         terrain_persistence.set_block(pos, new_block);
                                     }
@@ -301,7 +310,7 @@ impl<'a> System<'a> for Sys {
         Read<'a, Settings>,
         Read<'a, BuildAreas>,
         Write<'a, PlayerPhysicsSettings>,
-        Option<Write<'a, TerrainPersistence>>,
+        TerrainPersistenceData<'a>,
         ReadStorage<'a, Player>,
         ReadStorage<'a, Admin>,
     );
diff --git a/server/src/sys/terrain.rs b/server/src/sys/terrain.rs
index 836f6a538b..ced500bbd2 100644
--- a/server/src/sys/terrain.rs
+++ b/server/src/sys/terrain.rs
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+#[cfg(feature = "persistent_world")]
+use crate::TerrainPersistence;
 use crate::{
     chunk_generator::ChunkGenerator,
     client::Client,
@@ -5,7 +7,7 @@ use crate::{
     presence::{Presence, RepositionOnChunkLoad},
     rtsim::RtSim,
     settings::Settings,
-    SpawnPoint, TerrainPersistence, Tick,
+    SpawnPoint, Tick,
 };
 use common::{
     comp::{self, agent, bird_medium, Alignment, BehaviorCapability, ForceUpdate, Pos, Waypoint},
@@ -24,6 +26,11 @@ use specs::{Entities, Join, Read, ReadExpect, ReadStorage, Write, WriteExpect, W
 use std::sync::Arc;
 use vek::*;
 
+#[cfg(feature = "persistent_world")]
+pub type TerrainPersistenceData<'a> = Option<Write<'a, TerrainPersistence>>;
+#[cfg(not(feature = "persistent_world"))]
+pub type TerrainPersistenceData<'a> = ();
+
 pub(crate) struct LazyTerrainMessage {
     lazy_msg_lo: Option<crate::client::PreparedMsg>,
     lazy_msg_hi: Option<crate::client::PreparedMsg>,
@@ -99,7 +106,7 @@ impl<'a> System<'a> for Sys {
         WriteExpect<'a, TerrainGrid>,
         Write<'a, TerrainChanges>,
         WriteExpect<'a, RtSim>,
-        Option<WriteExpect<'a, TerrainPersistence>>,
+        TerrainPersistenceData<'a>,
         WriteStorage<'a, Pos>,
         ReadStorage<'a, Presence>,
         ReadStorage<'a, Client>,
@@ -126,7 +133,7 @@ impl<'a> System<'a> for Sys {
             mut terrain,
             mut terrain_changes,
             mut rtsim,
-            mut terrain_persistence,
+            mut _terrain_persistence,
             mut positions,
             presences,
             clients,
@@ -143,6 +150,7 @@ impl<'a> System<'a> for Sys {
         // Also, send the chunk data to anybody that is close by.
         let mut new_chunks = Vec::new();
         'insert_terrain_chunks: while let Some((key, res)) = chunk_generator.recv_new_chunk() {
+            #[allow(unused_mut)]
             let (mut chunk, supplement) = match res {
                 Ok((chunk, supplement)) => (chunk, supplement),
                 Err(Some(entity)) => {
@@ -160,7 +168,8 @@ impl<'a> System<'a> for Sys {
             };
 
             // Apply changes from terrain persistence to this chunk
-            if let Some(terrain_persistence) = terrain_persistence.as_mut() {
+            #[cfg(feature = "persistent_world")]
+            if let Some(terrain_persistence) = _terrain_persistence.as_mut() {
                 terrain_persistence.apply_changes(key, &mut chunk);
             }
 
@@ -417,7 +426,8 @@ impl<'a> System<'a> for Sys {
 
         for key in chunks_to_remove {
             // Register the unloading of this chunk from terrain persistence
-            if let Some(terrain_persistence) = terrain_persistence.as_mut() {
+            #[cfg(feature = "persistent_world")]
+            if let Some(terrain_persistence) = _terrain_persistence.as_mut() {
                 terrain_persistence.unload_chunk(key);
             }
 
diff --git a/voxygen/Cargo.toml b/voxygen/Cargo.toml
index 2b1bebc83f..ddba1a96be 100644
--- a/voxygen/Cargo.toml
+++ b/voxygen/Cargo.toml
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ vek = {version = "=0.14.1", features = ["serde"]}
 gilrs = {version = "0.8.0", features = ["serde-serialize"]}
 
 # Singleplayer
-server = {package = "veloren-server", path = "../server", optional = true}
+server = { package = "veloren-server", path = "../server", optional = true, default-features = false, features = ["worldgen"] }
 
 # Utility
 backtrace = "0.3.40"