diff --git a/cashu/mint/ledger.py b/cashu/mint/ledger.py
index 37aad884..183dd8f1 100644
--- a/cashu/mint/ledger.py
+++ b/cashu/mint/ledger.py
@@ -418,7 +418,8 @@ async def mint_quote(self, quote_request: PostMintQuoteRequest) -> MintQuote:
         ):
             raise NotAllowedError("Backend does not support descriptions.")
 
-        if settings.mint_max_balance:
+        # MINT_MAX_BALANCE refers to sat (for now)
+        if settings.mint_max_balance and unit == Unit.sat:
             # get next active keyset for unit
             active_keyset: MintKeyset = next(
                 filter(lambda k: k.active and k.unit == unit, self.keysets.values())