diff --git a/kcms/cursortheme/kcmcursortheme.cpp b/kcms/cursortheme/kcmcursortheme.cpp
--- a/kcms/cursortheme/kcmcursortheme.cpp
+++ b/kcms/cursortheme/kcmcursortheme.cpp
@@ -307,9 +307,6 @@
     // Update the Xcursor X resources
     runRdb(0);
 
-    // Notify all applications that the cursor theme has changed
-    KGlobalSettings::self()->emitChange(KGlobalSettings::CursorChanged);
-
     // Reload the standard cursors
     QStringList names;
 
@@ -389,6 +386,8 @@
     if (!applyTheme(theme, m_currentSize)) {
         emit showInfoMessage(i18n("You have to restart the Plasma session for these changes to take effect."));
     }
+
+    KGlobalSettings::self()->emitChange(KGlobalSettings::CursorChanged);
     setNeedsSave(false);
 }