diff --git a/Tests/kstars_ui/kstars_ui_tests.cpp b/Tests/kstars_ui/kstars_ui_tests.cpp
--- a/Tests/kstars_ui/kstars_ui_tests.cpp
+++ b/Tests/kstars_ui/kstars_ui_tests.cpp
@@ -63,6 +63,9 @@
     writableDir.mkdir(KSPaths::writableLocation(QStandardPaths::GenericDataLocation));
     KCrash::initialize();
 
+    // Explicitly provide the RC file from the main app resources, not the user-customized one
+    KStars::setResourceFile(":/kxmlgui5/kstars/kstarsui.rc");
+
     // This holds the final result of the test session
     int failure = 0;
 
diff --git a/kstars/kstars.h b/kstars/kstars.h
--- a/kstars/kstars.h
+++ b/kstars/kstars.h
@@ -817,10 +817,18 @@
         /// Set to true when the application is being closed
         static bool Closing;
 
+        /** @brief Override KStars UI resource file.
+         * @note This is used by UI tests, which need to use the same resources with a different app name
+         */
+        static bool setResourceFile(QString const rc);
+
     private:
         /// Pointer to an instance of KStars
         static KStars *pinstance;
 
+        // Resource file to load - overridable by UI tests
+        static QString m_KStarsUIResource;
+
         KActionMenu *colorActionMenu { nullptr };
         KActionMenu *fovActionMenu { nullptr };
         KActionMenu *hipsActionMenu { nullptr };
diff --git a/kstars/kstarsinit.cpp b/kstars/kstarsinit.cpp
--- a/kstars/kstarsinit.cpp
+++ b/kstars/kstarsinit.cpp
@@ -131,6 +131,19 @@
 }
 }
 
+// Resource file override - used by UI tests
+QString KStars::m_KStarsUIResource = "kstarsui.rc";
+bool KStars::setResourceFile(QString const rc)
+{
+    if (QFile(rc).exists())
+    {
+        m_KStarsUIResource = rc;
+        return true;
+    }
+    else return false;
+}
+
+
 void KStars::initActions()
 {
     // Check if we have this specific Breeze icon. If not, try to set the theme search path and if appropriate, the icon theme rcc file
@@ -933,8 +946,9 @@
     initStatusBar();
     initActions();
 
-    // Provide resource file explicitely for UI tests to display resources properly
-    setupGUI(StandardWindowOptions(Default), ":/kxmlgui5/kstars/kstarsui.rc");
+    // Setup GUI from the settings file
+    // UI tests provide the default settings file from the resources explicitly file to render UI properly
+    setupGUI(StandardWindowOptions(Default), m_KStarsUIResource);
 
     //get focus of keyboard and mouse actions (for example zoom in with +)
     map()->QWidget::setFocus();