diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/convert/gui_conversion.py b/src/calibre/gui2/convert/gui_conversion.py
index 69dabe28b8..116f09e429 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/convert/gui_conversion.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/convert/gui_conversion.py
@@ -28,6 +28,8 @@ def gui_catalog(fmt, title, dbspec, ids, out_file_name, sync, fmt_options, conne
     if log is None:
         log = Log()
     from calibre.library import db
+    from calibre.utils.config import prefs
+    prefs.refresh()
     db = db()
     db.catalog_plugin_on_device_temp_mapping = dbspec