diff --git a/source/blender/windowmanager/intern/wm_files.c b/source/blender/windowmanager/intern/wm_files.c
index e87be231025..86da2ef32ba 100644
--- a/source/blender/windowmanager/intern/wm_files.c
+++ b/source/blender/windowmanager/intern/wm_files.c
@@ -768,6 +768,10 @@ int wm_homefile_read_exec(bContext *C, wmOperator *op)
 			}
 		}
 	}
+	else {
+		/* always load UI for factory settings (prefs will re-init) */
+		G.fileflags &= ~G_FILE_NO_UI;
+	}
 
 	return wm_homefile_read(C, op->reports, from_memory, filepath) ? OPERATOR_FINISHED : OPERATOR_CANCELLED;
 }