--- a/libgui/src/main-window.cc
+++ b/libgui/src/main-window.cc
@@ -85,6 +85,7 @@
     doc_browser_window (new documentation_dock_widget (this)),
     editor_window (create_default_editor (this)),
     workspace_window (new workspace_view (this)),
+    _settings_dlg (0),
     find_files_dlg (0),
     release_notes_window (0),
     community_news_window (0),
@@ -150,6 +151,11 @@
       delete release_notes_window;
       release_notes_window = 0;
     }
+  if (_settings_dlg)
+    {
+      delete _settings_dlg;
+      _settings_dlg = 0;
+    }
   if (community_news_window)
     {
       delete community_news_window;
@@ -668,18 +674,31 @@
 void
 main_window::process_settings_dialog_request (const QString& desired_tab)
 {
-  settings_dialog *settingsDialog = new settings_dialog (this, desired_tab);
-  int change_settings = settingsDialog->exec ();
-  if (change_settings == QDialog::Accepted)
-    {
-      settingsDialog->write_changed_settings ();
-      QSettings *settings = resource_manager::get_settings ();
-      if (settings)
-        emit settings_changed (settings);
+  if (_settings_dlg)  // _settings_dlg is a guarded pointer!
+    {                 // here the dialog is still open and called once again
+      if (! desired_tab.isEmpty ())
+        _settings_dlg->show_tab (desired_tab);
+      return;
     }
-  delete settingsDialog;
+
+  _settings_dlg = new settings_dialog (this, desired_tab);
+
+  connect (_settings_dlg, SIGNAL (apply_new_settings ()),
+           this, SLOT (request_reload_settings ()));
+
+  _settings_dlg->setModal (false);
+  _settings_dlg->setAttribute (Qt::WA_DeleteOnClose);
+  _settings_dlg->show ();
 }
 
+void
+main_window::request_reload_settings ()
+{
+  QSettings *settings = resource_manager::get_settings ();
+
+  if (settings)
+    emit settings_changed (settings);
+}
 
 void
 main_window::notice_settings (const QSettings *settings)