diff --git a/src/shell-app-system.c b/src/shell-app-system.c
index 80eada415..48b0ddfff 100644
--- a/src/shell-app-system.c
+++ b/src/shell-app-system.c
@@ -347,6 +347,11 @@ reread_menus (ShellAppSystem *self)
           g_warning ("Failed to load apps: %s", error->message);
           return;
         }
+      if (!gmenu_tree_load_sync (self->priv->settings_tree, &error))
+        {
+          g_warning ("Failed to load settings: %s", error->message);
+          return;
+        }
       self->priv->loaded = TRUE;
     }