diff --git a/backend/src/lib.rs b/backend/src/lib.rs
index 1f1797f..f6ef3ff 100644
--- a/backend/src/lib.rs
+++ b/backend/src/lib.rs
@@ -2,13 +2,10 @@ use gio::prelude::*;
 use log::warn;
 use musicus_client::{Client, LoginData};
 use musicus_database::DbThread;
-use std::cell::RefCell;
+use std::cell::{Cell, RefCell};
 use std::path::PathBuf;
 use std::rc::Rc;
-use tokio::sync::{
-    broadcast,
-    broadcast::Sender,
-};
+use tokio::sync::{broadcast, broadcast::Sender};
 
 pub use musicus_client as client;
 pub use musicus_database as db;
@@ -52,6 +49,9 @@ pub struct Backend {
     /// Access to GSettings.
     settings: gio::Settings,
 
+    /// Whether the server should be used by default when searching for or changing items.
+    use_server: Cell<bool>,
+
     /// The current path to the music library, which is used by the player and the database. This
     /// is guaranteed to be Some, when the state is set to BackendState::Ready.
     music_library_path: RefCell<Option<PathBuf>>,
@@ -83,6 +83,7 @@ impl Backend {
         Backend {
             state_sender,
             settings: gio::Settings::new("de.johrpan.musicus"),
+            use_server: Cell::new(true),
             music_library_path: RefCell::new(None),
             library_updated_sender,
             database: RefCell::new(None),
@@ -127,6 +128,16 @@ impl Backend {
         Ok(())
     }
 
+    /// Whether the server should be used by default.
+    pub fn use_server(&self) -> bool {
+        self.use_server.get()
+    }
+
+    /// Set whether the server should be used by default.
+    pub fn set_use_server(&self, enabled: bool) {
+        self.use_server.set(enabled);
+    }
+
     /// Set the URL of the Musicus server to connect to.
     pub fn set_server_url(&self, url: &str) {
         if let Err(err) = self.settings.set_string("server-url", url) {
diff --git a/musicus/src/editors/ensemble.rs b/musicus/src/editors/ensemble.rs
index 44e77e9..fe58d8a 100644
--- a/musicus/src/editors/ensemble.rs
+++ b/musicus/src/editors/ensemble.rs
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ pub struct EnsembleEditor {
 
     editor: Editor,
     name: EntryRow,
-    upload: UploadSection,
+    upload: Rc<UploadSection>,
 }
 
 impl Screen<Option<Ensemble>, Ensemble> for EnsembleEditor {
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ impl Screen<Option<Ensemble>, Ensemble> for EnsembleEditor {
         list.append(&name.widget);
 
         let section = Section::new(&gettext("General"), &list);
-        let upload = UploadSection::new();
+        let upload = UploadSection::new(Rc::clone(&handle.backend));
 
         editor.add_content(&section.widget);
         editor.add_content(&upload.widget);
diff --git a/musicus/src/editors/instrument.rs b/musicus/src/editors/instrument.rs
index a8bf724..6d62a2e 100644
--- a/musicus/src/editors/instrument.rs
+++ b/musicus/src/editors/instrument.rs
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ pub struct InstrumentEditor {
 
     editor: Editor,
     name: EntryRow,
-    upload: UploadSection,
+    upload: Rc<UploadSection>,
 }
 
 impl Screen<Option<Instrument>, Instrument> for InstrumentEditor {
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ impl Screen<Option<Instrument>, Instrument> for InstrumentEditor {
         list.append(&name.widget);
 
         let section = Section::new(&gettext("General"), &list);
-        let upload = UploadSection::new();
+        let upload = UploadSection::new(Rc::clone(&handle.backend));
 
         editor.add_content(&section.widget);
         editor.add_content(&upload.widget);
diff --git a/musicus/src/editors/person.rs b/musicus/src/editors/person.rs
index 0839c90..eeb679d 100644
--- a/musicus/src/editors/person.rs
+++ b/musicus/src/editors/person.rs
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ pub struct PersonEditor {
     editor: Editor,
     first_name: EntryRow,
     last_name: EntryRow,
-    upload: UploadSection,
+    upload: Rc<UploadSection>,
 }
 
 impl Screen<Option<Person>, Person> for PersonEditor {
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ impl Screen<Option<Person>, Person> for PersonEditor {
         list.append(&last_name.widget);
 
         let section = Section::new(&gettext("General"), &list);
-        let upload = UploadSection::new();
+        let upload = UploadSection::new(Rc::clone(&handle.backend));
 
         editor.add_content(&section.widget);
         editor.add_content(&upload.widget);
diff --git a/musicus/src/editors/recording.rs b/musicus/src/editors/recording.rs
index a9c9b22..89b55b0 100644
--- a/musicus/src/editors/recording.rs
+++ b/musicus/src/editors/recording.rs
@@ -45,6 +45,8 @@ impl Screen<Option<Recording>, Recording> for RecordingEditor {
         get_widget!(builder, gtk::Frame, performance_frame);
         get_widget!(builder, gtk::Button, add_performer_button);
 
+        upload_switch.set_active(handle.backend.use_server());
+
         let performance_list = List::new();
         performance_frame.set_child(Some(&performance_list.widget));
 
diff --git a/musicus/src/editors/work.rs b/musicus/src/editors/work.rs
index 02d3e83..708c85b 100644
--- a/musicus/src/editors/work.rs
+++ b/musicus/src/editors/work.rs
@@ -97,6 +97,8 @@ impl Screen<Option<Work>, Work> for WorkEditor {
             None => (generate_id(), None, Vec::new(), Vec::new()),
         };
 
+        upload_switch.set_active(handle.backend.use_server());
+
         let this = Rc::new(Self {
             handle,
             widget,
diff --git a/musicus/src/import/import_screen.rs b/musicus/src/import/import_screen.rs
index 4b998a5..07aeae6 100644
--- a/musicus/src/import/import_screen.rs
+++ b/musicus/src/import/import_screen.rs
@@ -119,6 +119,8 @@ impl Screen<Arc<ImportSession>, ()> for ImportScreen {
         get_widget!(builder, gtk::Button, select_button);
         get_widget!(builder, gtk::Button, add_button);
 
+        server_check_button.set_active(handle.backend.use_server());
+
         let this = Rc::new(Self {
             handle,
             session,
@@ -136,6 +138,7 @@ impl Screen<Arc<ImportSession>, ()> for ImportScreen {
         }));
 
         this.server_check_button.connect_toggled(clone!(@weak this => move |_| {
+            this.handle.backend.set_use_server(this.server_check_button.get_active());
             this.load_matches();
         }));
 
diff --git a/musicus/src/import/medium_editor.rs b/musicus/src/import/medium_editor.rs
index f48e748..14e663d 100644
--- a/musicus/src/import/medium_editor.rs
+++ b/musicus/src/import/medium_editor.rs
@@ -47,6 +47,8 @@ impl Screen<(Arc<ImportSession>, Option<Medium>), Medium> for MediumEditor {
         get_widget!(builder, gtk::Button, try_again_button);
         get_widget!(builder, gtk::Button, cancel_button);
 
+        publish_switch.set_active(handle.backend.use_server());
+
         let list = List::new();
         frame.set_child(Some(&list.widget));
 
@@ -100,6 +102,10 @@ impl Screen<(Arc<ImportSession>, Option<Medium>), Medium> for MediumEditor {
             });
         }));
 
+        this.publish_switch.connect_property_state_notify(clone!(@weak this => move |_| {
+            this.handle.backend.set_use_server(this.publish_switch.get_state());
+        }));
+
         this.track_set_list
             .set_make_widget_cb(clone!(@weak this => move |index| {
                 let track_set = &this.track_sets.borrow()[index];
diff --git a/musicus/src/selectors/ensemble.rs b/musicus/src/selectors/ensemble.rs
index cb889c3..d969a7e 100644
--- a/musicus/src/selectors/ensemble.rs
+++ b/musicus/src/selectors/ensemble.rs
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ impl Screen<(), Ensemble> for EnsembleSelector {
     fn new(_: (), handle: NavigationHandle<Ensemble>) -> Rc<Self> {
         // Create UI
 
-        let selector = Selector::<Ensemble>::new();
+        let selector = Selector::<Ensemble>::new(Rc::clone(&handle.backend));
         selector.set_title(&gettext("Select ensemble"));
 
         let this = Rc::new(Self {
diff --git a/musicus/src/selectors/instrument.rs b/musicus/src/selectors/instrument.rs
index bc70c62..5ce242b 100644
--- a/musicus/src/selectors/instrument.rs
+++ b/musicus/src/selectors/instrument.rs
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ impl Screen<(), Instrument> for InstrumentSelector {
     fn new(_: (), handle: NavigationHandle<Instrument>) -> Rc<Self> {
         // Create UI
 
-        let selector = Selector::<Instrument>::new();
+        let selector = Selector::<Instrument>::new(Rc::clone(&handle.backend));
         selector.set_title(&gettext("Select instrument"));
 
         let this = Rc::new(Self {
diff --git a/musicus/src/selectors/medium.rs b/musicus/src/selectors/medium.rs
index 6804977..a8c04ad 100644
--- a/musicus/src/selectors/medium.rs
+++ b/musicus/src/selectors/medium.rs
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ impl Screen<(), Medium> for MediumSelector {
     fn new(_: (), handle: NavigationHandle<Medium>) -> Rc<Self> {
         // Create UI
 
-        let selector = Selector::<PersonOrEnsemble>::new();
+        let selector = Selector::<PersonOrEnsemble>::new(Rc::clone(&handle.backend));
         selector.set_title(&gettext("Select performer"));
 
         let this = Rc::new(Self {
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ struct MediumSelectorMediumScreen {
 
 impl Screen<PersonOrEnsemble, Medium> for MediumSelectorMediumScreen {
     fn new(poe: PersonOrEnsemble, handle: NavigationHandle<Medium>) -> Rc<Self> {
-        let selector = Selector::<Medium>::new();
+        let selector = Selector::<Medium>::new(Rc::clone(&handle.backend));
         selector.set_title(&gettext("Select medium"));
         selector.set_subtitle(&poe.get_title());
 
diff --git a/musicus/src/selectors/person.rs b/musicus/src/selectors/person.rs
index d6adb5a..87e2a82 100644
--- a/musicus/src/selectors/person.rs
+++ b/musicus/src/selectors/person.rs
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ impl Screen<(), Person> for PersonSelector {
     fn new(_: (), handle: NavigationHandle<Person>) -> Rc<Self> {
         // Create UI
 
-        let selector = Selector::<Person>::new();
+        let selector = Selector::<Person>::new(Rc::clone(&handle.backend));
         selector.set_title(&gettext("Select person"));
 
         let this = Rc::new(Self {
diff --git a/musicus/src/selectors/recording.rs b/musicus/src/selectors/recording.rs
index f32b82a..33bd320 100644
--- a/musicus/src/selectors/recording.rs
+++ b/musicus/src/selectors/recording.rs
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ impl Screen<(), Recording> for RecordingSelector {
     fn new(_: (), handle: NavigationHandle<Recording>) -> Rc<Self> {
         // Create UI
 
-        let selector = Selector::<Person>::new();
+        let selector = Selector::<Person>::new(Rc::clone(&handle.backend));
         selector.set_title(&gettext("Select composer"));
 
         let this = Rc::new(Self {
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ struct RecordingSelectorWorkScreen {
 
 impl Screen<Person, Work> for RecordingSelectorWorkScreen {
     fn new(person: Person, handle: NavigationHandle<Work>) -> Rc<Self> {
-        let selector = Selector::<Work>::new();
+        let selector = Selector::<Work>::new(Rc::clone(&handle.backend));
         selector.set_title(&gettext("Select work"));
         selector.set_subtitle(&person.name_fl());
 
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ struct RecordingSelectorRecordingScreen {
 
 impl Screen<Work, Recording> for RecordingSelectorRecordingScreen {
     fn new(work: Work, handle: NavigationHandle<Recording>) -> Rc<Self> {
-        let selector = Selector::<Recording>::new();
+        let selector = Selector::<Recording>::new(Rc::clone(&handle.backend));
         selector.set_title(&gettext("Select recording"));
         selector.set_subtitle(&work.get_title());
 
diff --git a/musicus/src/selectors/selector.rs b/musicus/src/selectors/selector.rs
index f9e7f12..19bb11b 100644
--- a/musicus/src/selectors/selector.rs
+++ b/musicus/src/selectors/selector.rs
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ use crate::widgets::List;
 use glib::clone;
 use gtk::prelude::*;
 use gtk_macros::get_widget;
-use musicus_backend::Result;
+use musicus_backend::{Backend, Result};
 use std::cell::RefCell;
 use std::future::Future;
 use std::pin::Pin;
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ use std::rc::Rc;
 /// database and to search within the list.
 pub struct Selector<T: 'static> {
     pub widget: gtk::Box,
+    backend: Rc<Backend>,
     title_label: gtk::Label,
     subtitle_label: gtk::Label,
     search_entry: gtk::SearchEntry,
@@ -28,8 +29,9 @@ pub struct Selector<T: 'static> {
 }
 
 impl<T> Selector<T> {
-    /// Create a new selector.
-    pub fn new() -> Rc<Self> {
+    /// Create a new selector. `use_server` is used to decide whether to search
+    /// online initially.
+    pub fn new(backend: Rc<Backend>) -> Rc<Self> {
         // Create UI
 
         let builder = gtk::Builder::from_resource("/de/johrpan/musicus/ui/selector.ui");
@@ -50,6 +52,7 @@ impl<T> Selector<T> {
 
         let this = Rc::new(Self {
             widget,
+            backend,
             title_label,
             subtitle_label,
             search_entry,
@@ -85,7 +88,10 @@ impl<T> Selector<T> {
 
         this.server_check_button
             .connect_toggled(clone!(@strong this => move |_| {
-                if this.server_check_button.get_active() {
+                let active = this.server_check_button.get_active();
+                this.backend.set_use_server(active);
+
+                if active {
                     this.clone().load_online();
                 } else {
                     this.clone().load_local();
@@ -117,7 +123,11 @@ impl<T> Selector<T> {
         }));
 
         // Initialize
-        this.clone().load_online();
+        if this.backend.use_server() {
+            this.clone().load_online();
+        } else {
+            this.server_check_button.set_active(false);
+        }
 
         this
     }
diff --git a/musicus/src/selectors/work.rs b/musicus/src/selectors/work.rs
index 3b3cb75..5355886 100644
--- a/musicus/src/selectors/work.rs
+++ b/musicus/src/selectors/work.rs
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ impl Screen<(), Work> for WorkSelector {
     fn new(_: (), handle: NavigationHandle<Work>) -> Rc<Self> {
         // Create UI
 
-        let selector = Selector::<Person>::new();
+        let selector = Selector::<Person>::new(Rc::clone(&handle.backend));
         selector.set_title(&gettext("Select composer"));
 
         let this = Rc::new(Self {
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ struct WorkSelectorWorkScreen {
 
 impl Screen<Person, Work> for WorkSelectorWorkScreen {
     fn new(person: Person, handle: NavigationHandle<Work>) -> Rc<Self> {
-        let selector = Selector::<Work>::new();
+        let selector = Selector::<Work>::new(Rc::clone(&handle.backend));
         selector.set_title(&gettext("Select work"));
         selector.set_subtitle(&person.name_fl());
 
diff --git a/musicus/src/widgets/upload_section.rs b/musicus/src/widgets/upload_section.rs
index 90718fa..b3500e9 100644
--- a/musicus/src/widgets/upload_section.rs
+++ b/musicus/src/widgets/upload_section.rs
@@ -1,26 +1,30 @@
 use super::Section;
-
 use gettextrs::gettext;
+use glib::clone;
 use libadwaita::prelude::*;
+use musicus_backend::Backend;
+use std::rc::Rc;
 
 /// A section showing a switch to enable uploading an item.
 pub struct UploadSection {
     /// The GTK widget of the wrapped section.
     pub widget: gtk::Box,
 
+    backend: Rc<Backend>,
+
     /// The upload switch.
     switch: gtk::Switch,
 }
 
 impl UploadSection {
     /// Create a new upload section which will be initially switched on.
-    pub fn new() -> Self {
+    pub fn new(backend: Rc<Backend>) -> Rc<Self> {
         let list = gtk::ListBoxBuilder::new()
             .selection_mode(gtk::SelectionMode::None)
             .build();
 
         let switch = gtk::SwitchBuilder::new()
-            .active(true)
+            .active(backend.use_server())
             .valign(gtk::Align::Center)
             .build();
 
@@ -35,10 +39,17 @@ impl UploadSection {
 
         let section = Section::new(&gettext("Upload"), &list);
 
-        Self {
+        let this = Rc::new(Self {
             widget: section.widget.clone(),
+            backend,
             switch,
-        }
+        });
+
+        this.switch.connect_property_state_notify(clone!(@weak this => move |_| {
+            this.backend.set_use_server(this.switch.get_state());
+        }));
+
+        this
     }
 
     /// Return whether the user has enabled the upload switch.