diff --git a/kcmkwin/common/effectmodel.h b/kcmkwin/common/effectmodel.h
--- a/kcmkwin/common/effectmodel.h
+++ b/kcmkwin/common/effectmodel.h
@@ -159,12 +159,23 @@
      **/
     void updateEffectStatus(const QModelIndex &rowIndex, Status effectState);
 
+    /**
+     * This enum type is used to specify load options.
+     **/
+    enum class LoadOptions {
+        None,
+        /**
+         * Do not discard unsaved changes when reloading the model.
+         **/
+        KeepDirty
+    };
+
     /**
      * Loads effects.
      *
      * You have to call this method in order to populate the model.
      **/
-    void load();
+    void load(LoadOptions options = LoadOptions::None);
 
     /**
      * Saves status of each modified effect.
diff --git a/kcmkwin/common/effectmodel.cpp b/kcmkwin/common/effectmodel.cpp
--- a/kcmkwin/common/effectmodel.cpp
+++ b/kcmkwin/common/effectmodel.cpp
@@ -387,18 +387,38 @@
     }
 }
 
-void EffectModel::load()
+void EffectModel::load(LoadOptions options)
 {
     KConfigGroup kwinConfig(KSharedConfig::openConfig("kwinrc"), "Plugins");
 
+    const QVector<EffectData> oldEffects = m_effectsList;
+
     beginResetModel();
     m_effectsChanged.clear();
     m_effectsList.clear();
     const KPluginInfo::List configs = KPluginTrader::self()->query(QStringLiteral("kwin/effects/configs/"));
     loadBuiltInEffects(kwinConfig, configs);
     loadJavascriptEffects(kwinConfig);
     loadPluginEffects(kwinConfig, configs);
 
+    if (options == LoadOptions::KeepDirty) {
+        for (const EffectData &oldEffect : oldEffects) {
+            if (!oldEffect.changed) {
+                continue;
+            }
+            auto effectIt = std::find_if(m_effectsList.begin(), m_effectsList.end(),
+                [serviceName = oldEffect.serviceName](const EffectData &data) {
+                    return data.serviceName == serviceName;
+                }
+            );
+            if (effectIt == m_effectsList.end()) {
+                continue;
+            }
+            effectIt->effectStatus = oldEffect.effectStatus;
+            effectIt->changed = effectIt->effectStatus != effectIt->originalStatus;
+        }
+    }
+
     qSort(m_effectsList.begin(), m_effectsList.end(), [](const EffectData &a, const EffectData &b) {
         if (a.category == b.category) {
             if (a.exclusiveGroup == b.exclusiveGroup) {
@@ -461,7 +481,7 @@
                                          QStringLiteral("/Effects"),
                                          QDBusConnection::sessionBus());
     for (int it = 0; it < m_effectsList.size(); it++) {
-        if (m_effectsList.at(it).effectStatus == m_effectsChanged.at(it).effectStatus) {
+        if (!m_effectsList.at(it).changed) {
             continue;
         }
         if (m_effectsList.at(it).effectStatus != Status::Disabled) {
diff --git a/kcmkwin/kwineffects/kcm.cpp b/kcmkwin/kwineffects/kcm.cpp
--- a/kcmkwin/kwineffects/kcm.cpp
+++ b/kcmkwin/kwineffects/kcm.cpp
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@
 
     if (dialog->exec() == QDialog::Accepted) {
         if (!dialog->changedEntries().isEmpty()) {
-            m_model->load();
+            m_model->load(EffectModel::LoadOptions::KeepDirty);
         }
     }