diff --git a/src/provider/core/provider.cpp b/src/provider/core/provider.cpp
--- a/src/provider/core/provider.cpp
+++ b/src/provider/core/provider.cpp
@@ -128,8 +128,10 @@
     return s;
 }
 
-void ProviderPrivate::load()
+bool ProviderPrivate::load()
 {
+    if (!q->isEnabled())
+        return false;
     auto s = makeSettings();
     s->beginGroup(QStringLiteral("UserFeedback"));
     lastSubmitTime = s->value(QStringLiteral("LastSubmission")).toDateTime();
@@ -158,10 +160,14 @@
     g->beginGroup(QStringLiteral("UserFeedback"));
     lastSurveyTime = std::max(g->value(QStringLiteral("LastSurvey")).toDateTime(), lastSurveyTime);
     lastEncouragementTime = std::max(g->value(QStringLiteral("LastEncouragement")).toDateTime(), lastEncouragementTime);
+
+    return true;
 }
 
 void ProviderPrivate::store()
 {
+    if (!q->isEnabled())
+        return;
     auto s = makeSettings();
     s->beginGroup(QStringLiteral("UserFeedback"));
 
@@ -399,6 +405,8 @@
 
 void ProviderPrivate::emitShowEncouragementMessage()
 {
+    if (!q->isEnabled()) // encouragement disabled by user
+        return;
     lastEncouragementTime = QDateTime::currentDateTime(); // TODO make this explicit, in case the host application decides to delay?
     storeOne(QStringLiteral("LastEncouragement"), lastEncouragementTime);
     storeOneGlobal(QStringLiteral("LastEncouragement"), lastEncouragementTime);
@@ -455,7 +463,11 @@
         return;
     d->productId = productId;
 
-    d->load();
+    if (!d->load()) {
+        emit providerSettingsChanged();
+        return;
+    }
+
     d->startCount++;
     d->storeOne(QStringLiteral("ApplicationStartCount"), d->startCount);
 
diff --git a/src/provider/core/provider_p.h b/src/provider/core/provider_p.h
--- a/src/provider/core/provider_p.h
+++ b/src/provider/core/provider_p.h
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@
 
     std::unique_ptr<QSettings> makeSettings() const;
     std::unique_ptr<QSettings> makeGlobalSettings() const;
-    void load();
+    bool load();
     void store();
     void storeOne(const QString &key, const QVariant &value);
     void storeOneGlobal(const QString &key, const QVariant &value);