diff --git a/gigl/distributed/graph_store/dist_server.py b/gigl/distributed/graph_store/dist_server.py
index 0147d6929..cecb52a51 100644
--- a/gigl/distributed/graph_store/dist_server.py
+++ b/gigl/distributed/graph_store/dist_server.py
@@ -575,11 +575,26 @@ def register_sampling_input(self, opts: RegisterBackendRequest) -> int:
             The unique channel ID for this input.
         """
         request_start_time = time.monotonic()
+        sampler_input = opts.sampler_input
+
+        if isinstance(sampler_input, RemoteSamplerInput):
+            sampler_input = sampler_input.to_local_sampler_input(dataset=self.dataset)
+
         with self._lock:
             backend_state = self._backend_state_by_backend_id[opts.backend_id]
             channel_id = self._next_channel_id
             self._next_channel_id += 1
-            channel = ShmChannel(opts.buffer_capacity, opts.buffer_size)
+            # If the sampler input is empty, we create a channel with 1 slot and 1MB size
+            # We do this to save on memory usage for empty inputs.
+            # NOTE: We must keep creating these channels as we need to "register input" for
+            # all nodes on the storage cluster, as they the `NeighborSampler` is responsible for
+            # serving incoming sampling requests as well as sending them out.
+            # TODO(kmonte): Look into either supporting truly empty channels or having a shared
+            # DistSampler.
+            if len(sampler_input) == 0:
+                channel = ShmChannel(1, "1MB")
+            else:
+                channel = ShmChannel(opts.buffer_capacity, opts.buffer_size)
             channel_state = ChannelState(
                 backend_id=opts.backend_id,
                 worker_key=opts.worker_key,
@@ -592,10 +607,6 @@ def register_sampling_input(self, opts: RegisterBackendRequest) -> int:
             # value that could be mutated by concurrent register/destroy.
             active_channels_at_register = len(backend_state.active_channels)
 
-        sampler_input = opts.sampler_input
-        if isinstance(sampler_input, RemoteSamplerInput):
-            sampler_input = sampler_input.to_local_sampler_input(dataset=self.dataset)
-
         try:
             with backend_state.lock:
                 backend_state.runtime.register_input(
diff --git a/tests/unit/distributed/dist_server_test.py b/tests/unit/distributed/dist_server_test.py
index 48eb95fa4..2703391f7 100644
--- a/tests/unit/distributed/dist_server_test.py
+++ b/tests/unit/distributed/dist_server_test.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 
 import torch
 from absl.testing import absltest
-from graphlearn_torch.sampler import SamplingConfig, SamplingType
+from graphlearn_torch.sampler import NodeSamplerInput, SamplingConfig, SamplingType
 
 from gigl.distributed.graph_store import dist_server
 from gigl.distributed.graph_store.messages import (
@@ -676,16 +676,48 @@ def test_register_creates_channel(
             RegisterBackendRequest(
                 backend_id=backend_id,
                 worker_key="neighbor_loader_0_compute_rank_0",
-                sampler_input=MagicMock(),
+                sampler_input=NodeSamplerInput(torch.arange(10)),
                 sampling_config=self.sampling_config,
                 buffer_capacity=2,
-                buffer_size="1MB",
+                buffer_size="2MB",
+            )
+        )
+
+        self.assertEqual(channel_id, 0)
+        runtime.register_input.assert_called_once()
+        mock_channel_cls.assert_called_once_with(2, "2MB")
+
+    @patch("gigl.distributed.graph_store.dist_server.ShmChannel")
+    @patch("gigl.distributed.graph_store.dist_server.SharedDistSamplingBackend")
+    def test_register_empty_channel(
+        self,
+        mock_backend_cls: MagicMock,
+        mock_channel_cls: MagicMock,
+    ) -> None:
+        runtime = mock_backend_cls.return_value
+        backend_id = self.server.init_sampling_backend(
+            InitSamplingBackendRequest(
+                backend_key="neighbor_loader_0",
+                worker_options=self.worker_options,
+                sampler_options=self.sampler_options,
+                sampling_config=self.sampling_config,
+            )
+        )
+
+        channel_id = self.server.register_sampling_input(
+            RegisterBackendRequest(
+                backend_id=backend_id,
+                worker_key="neighbor_loader_0_compute_rank_0",
+                sampler_input=NodeSamplerInput(torch.tensor([])),
+                sampling_config=self.sampling_config,
+                buffer_capacity=2,  # Should be overridden to 1 for empty channels
+                buffer_size="2MB",  # Should be overridden to 1MB for empty channels
             )
         )
 
         self.assertEqual(channel_id, 0)
         runtime.register_input.assert_called_once()
-        mock_channel_cls.assert_called_once_with(2, "1MB")
+        mock_channel_cls.assert_called_once_with(1, "1MB")
 
     @patch("gigl.distributed.graph_store.dist_server.ShmChannel")
     @patch("gigl.distributed.graph_store.dist_server.SharedDistSamplingBackend")