diff --git a/applet.cpp b/applet.cpp
index 4b5d33e20..208e6cd45 100644
--- a/applet.cpp
+++ b/applet.cpp
@@ -504,6 +504,10 @@ void Applet::initExtenderItem(ExtenderItem *item)
 
 Extender *Applet::extender() const
 {
+    if (!d->extender) {
+        new Extender(const_cast<Applet*>(this));
+    }
+
     return d->extender;
 }