diff --git a/plugins/gtkgui/gtkgui.py b/plugins/gtkgui/gtkgui.py
index b520e41df..0361e53b4 100644
--- a/plugins/gtkgui/gtkgui.py
+++ b/plugins/gtkgui/gtkgui.py
@@ -67,6 +67,8 @@ from config import *
 
 GTKGUI_GLADE='plugins/gtkgui/gtkgui.glade'
 
+USE_TABBED_CHAT = 0
+
 class ImageCellRenderer(gtk.GenericCellRenderer):
 
 	__gproperties__ = {
@@ -1861,7 +1863,7 @@ class roster_Window:
 		self.set_cb()
 
 	def new_chat(self, user, account):
-		if self.plugin.config['usetabbedchat']:
+		if USE_TABBED_CHAT:
 			if not self.plugin.windows[account]['chats'].has_key('tabbed'):
 				self.plugin.windows[account]['chats']['tabbed'] = \
 					tabbed_chat_Window(user, self.plugin, account)
@@ -2003,7 +2005,7 @@ class roster_Window:
 				self.tree.expand_row(path, False)
 		else:
 			if self.plugin.windows[account]['chats'].has_key(jid):
-				if self.plugin.config['usetabbedchat']:
+				if USE_TABBED_CHAT:
 					self.plugin.windows[account]['chats'][jid].active_tab(jid)
 				self.plugin.windows[account]['chats'][jid].window.present()
 			elif self.contacts[account].has_key(jid):
@@ -3003,6 +3005,9 @@ class plugin:
 				break
 		if pix:
 			gtk.window_set_default_icon(pix)
+		if self.config['usetabbedchat']:
+			global USE_TABBED_CHAT  	 
+			USE_TABBED_CHAT = 1
 		self.roster = roster_Window(self)
 		gtk.timeout_add(100, self.read_queue)
 		gtk.timeout_add(100, self.read_sleepy)