--- a/shell/shellcorona.cpp
+++ b/shell/shellcorona.cpp
@@ -718,7 +718,13 @@ void ShellCorona::load()
         setImmutability(Plasma::Types::SystemImmutable);
     } else {
         KConfigGroup coronaConfig(config(), "General");
-        setImmutability((Plasma::Types::ImmutabilityType)coronaConfig.readEntry("immutability", static_cast<int>(Plasma::Types::Mutable)));
+        bool immutability_present = coronaConfig.readEntry("immutability", 0) != 0;
+        if( immutability_present ) {
+            setImmutability(Plasma::Types::UserImmutable);
+        } else {
+            coronaConfig.writeEntry("immutability", static_cast<int>(Plasma::Types::Mutable));
+            setImmutability(Plasma::Types::Mutable);
+        }
     }
 }