diff --git a/src/plugins/projectexplorer/projectexplorer.cpp b/src/plugins/projectexplorer/projectexplorer.cpp
index e223c1d2f10..a63d8dafa0d 100644
--- a/src/plugins/projectexplorer/projectexplorer.cpp
+++ b/src/plugins/projectexplorer/projectexplorer.cpp
@@ -1686,9 +1686,11 @@ void ProjectExplorerPlugin::extensionsInitialized()
     BuildManager::extensionsInitialized();
 
     DeviceManager::instance()->addDevice(IDevice::Ptr(new DesktopDevice));
+    // delay restoring kits until UI is shown for improved perceived startup performance
+    QTimer::singleShot(0, this, &ProjectExplorerPlugin::restoreKits);
 }
 
-bool ProjectExplorerPlugin::delayedInitialize()
+void ProjectExplorerPlugin::restoreKits()
 {
     dd->determineSessionToRestoreAtStartup();
     ExtraAbi::load(); // Load this before Toolchains!
@@ -1696,7 +1698,6 @@ bool ProjectExplorerPlugin::delayedInitialize()
     ToolChainManager::restoreToolChains();
     dd->m_kitManager->restoreKits();
     QTimer::singleShot(0, dd, &ProjectExplorerPluginPrivate::restoreSession); // delay a bit...
-    return true;
 }
 
 void ProjectExplorerPluginPrivate::updateRunWithoutDeployMenu()
diff --git a/src/plugins/projectexplorer/projectexplorer.h b/src/plugins/projectexplorer/projectexplorer.h
index 48281d2581c..153f8d0c105 100644
--- a/src/plugins/projectexplorer/projectexplorer.h
+++ b/src/plugins/projectexplorer/projectexplorer.h
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ public:
     //PluginInterface
     bool initialize(const QStringList &arguments, QString *errorMessage) override;
     void extensionsInitialized() override;
-    bool delayedInitialize() override;
+    void restoreKits();
     ShutdownFlag aboutToShutdown() override;
 
     static void setProjectExplorerSettings(const Internal::ProjectExplorerSettings &pes);