diff --git a/mongoengine/queryset/queryset.py b/mongoengine/queryset/queryset.py
index 28a96189..15c8e634 100644
--- a/mongoengine/queryset/queryset.py
+++ b/mongoengine/queryset/queryset.py
@@ -366,7 +366,7 @@ class QuerySet(object):
         queryset = self.clone()
         doc = queryset._document
 
-        has_delete_signal = (
+        has_delete_signal = signals.signals_available and (
             signals.pre_delete.has_receivers_for(self._document) or
             signals.post_delete.has_receivers_for(self._document))