diff --git a/dvc/config_schema.py b/dvc/config_schema.py
index f90ef8f58..96c20995c 100644
--- a/dvc/config_schema.py
+++ b/dvc/config_schema.py
@@ -264,8 +264,8 @@ SCHEMA = {
     # section for experimental features
     "feature": {
         Optional("machine", default=False): Bool,
-        # enabled by default. It's of no use, kept for backward compatibility.
         Optional("data_index_cache", default=False): Bool,
+        # enabled by default. It's of no use, kept for backward compatibility.
         Optional("parametrization", default=True): Bool,
     },
     "plots": {
diff --git a/dvc/repo/__init__.py b/dvc/repo/__init__.py
index 9e0c7b150..dee85d6db 100644
--- a/dvc/repo/__init__.py
+++ b/dvc/repo/__init__.py
@@ -381,6 +381,9 @@ class Repo:
     def data_index(self) -> Optional["DataIndex"]:
         from dvc_data.index import DataIndex
 
+        if not self.config["feature"].get("data_index_cache"):
+            return None
+
         if not self.index_db_dir:
             return None