diff --git a/private/applethandle.cpp b/private/applethandle.cpp
index b26b6fe94..6e6a28355 100644
--- a/private/applethandle.cpp
+++ b/private/applethandle.cpp
@@ -237,7 +237,7 @@ void AppletHandle::paint(QPainter *painter, const QStyleOptionGraphicsItem *opti
 
         QLinearGradient g(QPoint(0, 0), QPoint(m_decorationRect.width(), 0));
         //fading out panel
-        if (m_applet->backgroundHints() != Plasma::Applet::NoBackground &&
+        if (m_applet && m_applet->backgroundHints() != Plasma::Applet::NoBackground &&
             m_rect.height() > qreal(minimumHeight()) * 1.25) {
             if (m_buttonsOnRight) {
                 qreal opaquePoint =
diff --git a/runnermanager.cpp b/runnermanager.cpp
index 845fe224c..3c46f8c45 100644
--- a/runnermanager.cpp
+++ b/runnermanager.cpp
@@ -293,6 +293,9 @@ public:
             kDebug() << "================= loading runner:" << service->name() << "=================";
             QObject::connect(runner, SIGNAL(matchingSuspended(bool)), q, SLOT(runnerMatchingSuspended(bool)));
             QMetaObject::invokeMethod(runner, "init");
+            if (prepped) {
+                emit runner->prepare();
+            }
         }
 
         return runner;