diff --git a/src/plugins/projectexplorer/projectmodels.cpp b/src/plugins/projectexplorer/projectmodels.cpp
index bbecd98b808..c2371ffa86e 100644
--- a/src/plugins/projectexplorer/projectmodels.cpp
+++ b/src/plugins/projectexplorer/projectmodels.cpp
@@ -85,7 +85,9 @@ FlatModel::FlatModel(QObject *parent)
     connect(sm, &SessionManager::aboutToSaveSession, this, &FlatModel::saveExpandData);
     connect(sm, &SessionManager::projectAdded, this, &FlatModel::handleProjectAdded);
     connect(sm, &SessionManager::startupProjectChanged, this, [this] { layoutChanged(); });
-    rebuildModel();
+
+    for (Project *project : SessionManager::projects())
+        handleProjectAdded(project);
 }
 
 QVariant FlatModel::data(const QModelIndex &index, int role) const