diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/icon_theme.py b/src/calibre/gui2/icon_theme.py
index 795116d847..92d6afff56 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/icon_theme.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/icon_theme.py
@@ -513,8 +513,9 @@ class ChooseTheme(Dialog):
         self.sort_by = sb = QComboBox(self)
         add_row(_('&Sort by:'), sb)
         sb.addItems([_('Number of icons'), _('Popularity'), _('Name'),])
-        sb.setEditable(False), sb.setCurrentIndex(1)
+        sb.setEditable(False), sb.setCurrentIndex(gprefs.get('choose_icon_theme_sort_by', 1))
         sb.currentIndexChanged[int].connect(self.re_sort)
+        sb.currentIndexChanged[int].connect(lambda : gprefs.set('choose_icon_theme_sort_by', sb.currentIndex()))
         self.theme_list = tl = QListWidget(self)
         tl.setVerticalScrollMode(tl.ScrollPerPixel)
         self.delegate = Delegate(tl)