diff --git a/cmd/setup.go b/cmd/setup.go
index ad030e55a..a11340c5f 100644
--- a/cmd/setup.go
+++ b/cmd/setup.go
@@ -238,6 +238,7 @@ func configureMeters(static []config.Named, names ...string) error {
 			return fmt.Errorf("cannot create meter %d: missing name", i+1)
 		}
 
+		// configure all, if no name refs are given
 		if len(names) > 0 && !slices.Contains(names, cc.Name) {
 			continue
 		}
@@ -272,7 +273,8 @@ func configureMeters(static []config.Named, names ...string) error {
 		eg.Go(func() error {
 			cc := conf.Named()
 
-			if len(names) > 0 && !slices.Contains(names, cc.Name) {
+			// always skip unreferenced db devices
+			if !slices.Contains(names, cc.Name) {
 				return nil
 			}
 
@@ -310,6 +312,7 @@ func configureChargers(static []config.Named, names ...string) error {
 			return fmt.Errorf("cannot create charger %d: missing name", i+1)
 		}
 
+		// configure all, if no name refs are given
 		if len(names) > 0 && !slices.Contains(names, cc.Name) {
 			continue
 		}
@@ -344,7 +347,8 @@ func configureChargers(static []config.Named, names ...string) error {
 		eg.Go(func() error {
 			cc := conf.Named()
 
-			if len(names) > 0 && !slices.Contains(names, cc.Name) {
+			// always skip unreferenced db devices
+			if !slices.Contains(names, cc.Name) {
 				return nil
 			}