diff --git a/cylc/flow/task_events_mgr.py b/cylc/flow/task_events_mgr.py
index 59d3ff1bd2..8ed2a89f25 100644
--- a/cylc/flow/task_events_mgr.py
+++ b/cylc/flow/task_events_mgr.py
@@ -1541,8 +1541,7 @@ def _insert_task_job(
         # And transient tasks, used for setting outputs and spawning children,
         # do not submit jobs.
         if (
-            not itask.run_mode
-            or itask.run_mode in JOBLESS_MODES
+            itask.run_mode in JOBLESS_MODES
             or forced
         ):
             job_conf = {"submit_num": itask.submit_num}