diff --git a/src/panels/information/filemetadataconfigurationdialog.h b/src/panels/information/filemetadataconfigurationdialog.h
--- a/src/panels/information/filemetadataconfigurationdialog.h
+++ b/src/panels/information/filemetadataconfigurationdialog.h
@@ -68,6 +68,10 @@
 
 protected slots:
     void slotAccepted();
+    
+private slots:
+    void slotShowDialog();
+
 private:
     QLabel* m_descriptionLabel;
     Baloo::FileMetaDataConfigWidget* m_configWidget;
diff --git a/src/panels/information/filemetadataconfigurationdialog.cpp b/src/panels/information/filemetadataconfigurationdialog.cpp
--- a/src/panels/information/filemetadataconfigurationdialog.cpp
+++ b/src/panels/information/filemetadataconfigurationdialog.cpp
@@ -60,11 +60,14 @@
     topLayout->addWidget(m_configWidget);
     mainLayout->addWidget(mainWidget);
     mainLayout->addWidget(buttonBox);
+}
 
+void FileMetaDataConfigurationDialog::slotShowDialog() {
 
     const KConfigGroup dialogConfig(KSharedConfig::openConfig(QStringLiteral("dolphinrc")),
                                     "FileMetaDataConfigurationDialog");
     KWindowConfig::restoreWindowSize(windowHandle(), dialogConfig);
+    show();
 }
 
 FileMetaDataConfigurationDialog::~FileMetaDataConfigurationDialog()
@@ -77,6 +80,9 @@
 void FileMetaDataConfigurationDialog::setItems(const KFileItemList& items)
 {
     m_configWidget->setItems(items);
+
+    // must be shown after the metadata has been loaded in FileMetaDataConfigWidget::loadMetadata
+    connect(m_configWidget, SIGNAL(metadataLoaded()), this, SLOT(slotShowDialog()));
 }
 
 KFileItemList FileMetaDataConfigurationDialog::items() const
diff --git a/src/panels/information/informationpanelcontent.cpp b/src/panels/information/informationpanelcontent.cpp
--- a/src/panels/information/informationpanelcontent.cpp
+++ b/src/panels/information/informationpanelcontent.cpp
@@ -303,7 +303,7 @@
                                      "Select which data should be shown in the information panel:"));
         dialog->setItems(m_metaDataWidget->items());
         dialog->setAttribute(Qt::WA_DeleteOnClose);
-        dialog->show();
+        // the dialog displays itself on its own once the metadata are loaded
         connect(dialog, &FileMetaDataConfigurationDialog::destroyed, this, &InformationPanelContent::refreshMetaData);
     }
     if (action == dateformatAction) {