diff --git a/wled00/set.cpp b/wled00/set.cpp
index 080fea9ce..e34bf06b1 100644
--- a/wled00/set.cpp
+++ b/wled00/set.cpp
@@ -728,7 +728,7 @@ bool handleSet(AsyncWebServerRequest *request, const String& req, bool apply)
   }
 
   //set effect parameters
-  if (updateVal(&req, "FX=", &effectCurrent, 0, strip.getModeCount()-1)) unloadPlaylist();
+  if (updateVal(&req, "FX=", &effectCurrent, 0, strip.getModeCount()-1) && request != nullptr) unloadPlaylist();  //unload playlist if changing FX using web request
   updateVal(&req, "SX=", &effectSpeed);
   updateVal(&req, "IX=", &effectIntensity);
   updateVal(&req, "FP=", &effectPalette, 0, strip.getPaletteCount()-1);