diff --git a/rich/progress.py b/rich/progress.py
index 8a246ee5..4f96d111 100644
--- a/rich/progress.py
+++ b/rich/progress.py
@@ -634,7 +634,8 @@ class Progress(JupyterMixin):
 
     def start(self) -> None:
         """Start the progress display."""
-        self.live.start(refresh=True)
+        if not self.disable:
+            self.live.start(refresh=True)
 
     def stop(self) -> None:
         """Stop the progress display."""
diff --git a/tests/test_progress.py b/tests/test_progress.py
index cca4ad6f..3d40d2e3 100644
--- a/tests/test_progress.py
+++ b/tests/test_progress.py
@@ -434,6 +434,20 @@ def test_progress_max_refresh() -> None:
     )
 
 
+def test_live_is_started_if_progress_is_enabled() -> None:
+    progress = Progress(auto_refresh=False, disable=False)
+
+    with progress:
+        assert progress.live._started
+
+
+def test_live_is_not_started_if_progress_is_disabled() -> None:
+    progress = Progress(auto_refresh=False, disable=True)
+
+    with progress:
+        assert not progress.live._started
+
+
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     _render = render_progress()
     print(_render)