Despite a growing body of research, there is an urgent need for studies on principals' work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Given that Sweden, unlike most other countries, decided to keep schools open during the pandemic there is plenty to learn from the Swedish case. This article explores how Swedish principals experienced their autonomy before the pandemic and whether and how the experience of autonomy changed over the course of the pandemic. Data from 14 urban principals were integrated in order to analyse principals' autonomy within four domains of their work. The results indicate that principals experienced a high degree of autonomy in their work, both before and during the pandemic. At the same time, they experienced a significant degree of control from state and local municipal level. The article adds important pieces to the current body of research by showing how autonomy and control impinge upon principals' work and leadership in times of crisis.