diff --git a/cylc/flow/tui/data.py b/cylc/flow/tui/data.py
index 3a3ed4ee378..4d00753cf3f 100644
--- a/cylc/flow/tui/data.py
+++ b/cylc/flow/tui/data.py
@@ -17,7 +17,12 @@
 from functools import partial
 from subprocess import Popen, PIPE
 
-from cylc.flow.exceptions import ClientError
+from cylc.flow.exceptions import (
+    ClientError,
+    ClientTimeout,
+    WorkflowStopped,
+)
+from cylc.flow.network.client_factory import get_client
 from cylc.flow.id import Tokens
 from cylc.flow.tui.util import (
     extract_context
@@ -187,11 +192,25 @@ def generate_mutation(mutation, arguments):
     '''
 
 
-def list_mutations(client, selection):
+def list_mutations(selection, is_running=True):
+    """List mutations relevant to the provided selection.
+
+    Args:
+        selection:
+            The user selection.
+        is_running:
+            If False, then mutations which require the scheduler to be
+            running will be omitted.
+
+            Note, this is only relevant for workflow nodes because if a
+            workflow is stopped, then any tasks within it will be removed
+            anyway.
+
+    """
     context = extract_context(selection)
     selection_type = list(context)[-1]
     ret = []
-    if client:
+    if is_running:
         # add the online mutations
         ret.extend(MUTATIONS.get(selection_type, []))
     # add the offline mutations
@@ -232,20 +251,15 @@ def context_to_variables(context):
     return variables
 
 
-def mutate(client, mutation, selection):
+def mutate(mutation, selection):
     if mutation in {
         _mutation
         for section in OFFLINE_MUTATIONS.values()
         for _mutation in section
     }:
         offline_mutate(mutation, selection)
-    elif client:
-        online_mutate(client, mutation, selection)
     else:
-        raise Exception(
-            f'Cannot peform command {mutation} on a stopped workflow'
-            ' or invalid command.'
-        )
+        online_mutate(mutation, selection)
 
 
 def online_mutate(mutation, selection):
diff --git a/cylc/flow/tui/overlay.py b/cylc/flow/tui/overlay.py
index f4d5ca02f94..87b544b0604 100644
--- a/cylc/flow/tui/overlay.py
+++ b/cylc/flow/tui/overlay.py
@@ -37,20 +37,13 @@
 
 """
 
-from contextlib import suppress
 from functools import partial
 import re
 import sys
 
 import urwid
 
-from cylc.flow.exceptions import (
-    ClientError,
-    ClientTimeout,
-    WorkflowStopped,
-)
 from cylc.flow.id import Tokens
-from cylc.flow.network.client_factory import get_client
 from cylc.flow.task_state import (
     TASK_STATUSES_ORDERED,
     TASK_STATUS_WAITING
@@ -61,7 +54,6 @@
     TUI
 )
 from cylc.flow.tui.data import (
-    extract_context,
     list_mutations,
     mutate,
 )
@@ -296,20 +288,23 @@ def context(app):
     """An overlay for context menus."""
     value = app.tree_walker.get_focus()[0].get_node().get_value()
     selection = [value['id_']]  # single selection ATM
-    context = extract_context(selection)
 
-    client = None
-    if 'workflow' in context:
-        w_id = context['workflow'][0]
-        with suppress(WorkflowStopped, ClientError, ClientTimeout):
-            client = get_client(w_id)
+    is_running = True
+    if (
+        value['type_'] == 'workflow'
+        and value['data']['status'] not in {'running', 'paused'}
+    ):
+        # this is a stopped workflow
+        # => don't display mutations only valid for a running workflow
+        is_running = False
 
     def _mutate(mutation, _):
-        nonlocal app, client
+        nonlocal app, selection
+
         app.open_overlay(partial(progress, text='Running Command'))
         try:
-            mutate(client, mutation, selection)
-        except ClientError as exc:
+            mutate(mutation, selection)
+        except Exception as exc:
             app.open_overlay(partial(error, text=str(exc)))
         else:
             app.close_topmost()
@@ -334,7 +329,10 @@ def _mutate(mutation, _):
                     mutation,
                     on_press=partial(_mutate, mutation)
                 )
-                for mutation in list_mutations(client, selection)
+                for mutation in list_mutations(
+                    selection,
+                    is_running,
+                )
             ]
         )
     )