diff --git a/src/libs/extensionsystem/pluginmanager.cpp b/src/libs/extensionsystem/pluginmanager.cpp
index 7560c86a85d..f8eb51affb9 100644
--- a/src/libs/extensionsystem/pluginmanager.cpp
+++ b/src/libs/extensionsystem/pluginmanager.cpp
@@ -274,6 +274,7 @@ PluginManager::PluginManager()
 {
     m_instance = this;
     d = new PluginManagerPrivate(this);
+    shutdownGuard(); // ensure creation on main thread
 }
 
 /*!