diff --git a/src/plugins/projectexplorer/projectexplorer.cpp b/src/plugins/projectexplorer/projectexplorer.cpp
index 4b700e89a21..eebd7c91ed1 100644
--- a/src/plugins/projectexplorer/projectexplorer.cpp
+++ b/src/plugins/projectexplorer/projectexplorer.cpp
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@
 #include "projectexplorersettingspage.h"
 #include "projectmanager.h"
 #include "removetaskhandler.h"
+#include "runconfigurationaspects.h"
 #include "kitfeatureprovider.h"
 #include "kitmanager.h"
 #include "kitoptionspage.h"
@@ -1586,8 +1587,14 @@ bool ProjectExplorerPlugin::initialize(const QStringList &arguments, QString *er
         tr("The currently active run configuration's executable (if applicable)."),
         []() -> QString {
             if (Target *target = activeTarget()) {
-                if (RunConfiguration *rc = target->activeRunConfiguration())
-                    return rc->runnable().executable;
+                if (RunConfiguration *rc = target->activeRunConfiguration()) {
+                    // TODO: This duplicates code and is not always correct, but see
+                    // QTCREATORBUG-18317.
+                    // Solution: Re-introduce RunConfiguration::executable()?
+                    if (auto executableAspect = rc->aspect<ExecutableAspect>())
+                        return executableAspect->executable().toString();
+                    return QString();
+                }
             }
             return QString();
         });