diff --git a/lisp/application.py b/lisp/application.py
index e83ee9430..03ee57353 100644
--- a/lisp/application.py
+++ b/lisp/application.py
@@ -216,8 +216,9 @@ def __load_from_file(self, session_file):
             self.session.update_properties(session_dict["session"])
             self.session.session_file = session_file
 
-            for plugin_name, plugin_config in session_dict['session']['plugins'].items():
-                self.__session.set_plugin_session_config(plugin_name, plugin_config)
+            if 'plugins' in session_dict['session']:
+                for plugin_name, plugin_config in session_dict['session']['plugins'].items():
+                    self.__session.set_plugin_session_config(plugin_name, plugin_config)
 
             self.session_initialised.emit(self.__session)