VM3: How can I display sub category products but not top level category products

[z-analysts]

Hi,

I discovered that if I turn off show products for the top level category that affects the sub category pages too. I believe this is a limitation that should not exist but nonetheless I am looking for a workaround.

Here is my situation: I have multiple categories some with sub categories and others not. Whenever there is a subcategory there are no products assigned to the top level category. I would like to have a clean display of the category / sub category page instead of sub categories on top and the empty product display on the bottom of the page.

Is there a configuration option for this or do I have to customize the category template?

Thank you!

VM 3.0.4
J! 3.3.6