diff --git a/lib/plugins.py b/lib/plugins.py
index 284fbc92..d89f9105 100644
--- a/lib/plugins.py
+++ b/lib/plugins.py
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ class Plugins(DaemonThread):
 
     def load_plugin(self, name):
         if name in self.plugins:
-            return
+            return self.plugins[name]
         full_name = 'electrum_plugins.' + name + '.' + self.gui_name
         loader = pkgutil.find_loader(full_name)
         if not loader: