diff --git a/owrx/__main__.py b/owrx/__main__.py
index 452de85..a0e83dc 100644
--- a/owrx/__main__.py
+++ b/owrx/__main__.py
@@ -56,7 +56,8 @@ Support and info:       https://groups.io/g/openwebrx
         return
 
     # Get error messages about unknown / unavailable features as soon as possible
-    SdrService.loadProps()
+    # start up "always-on" sources right away
+    SdrService.getSources()
 
     Services.start()
 
diff --git a/owrx/sdr.py b/owrx/sdr.py
index c52406f..039e914 100644
--- a/owrx/sdr.py
+++ b/owrx/sdr.py
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ class SdrService(object):
     lastPort = None
 
     @staticmethod
-    def loadProps():
+    def _loadProps():
         if SdrService.sdrProps is None:
             pm = Config.get()
             featureDetector = FeatureDetector()
@@ -60,7 +60,6 @@ class SdrService(object):
 
     @staticmethod
     def getSource(id):
-        SdrService.loadProps()
         sources = SdrService.getSources()
         if not sources:
             return None
@@ -70,7 +69,7 @@ class SdrService(object):
 
     @staticmethod
     def getSources():
-        SdrService.loadProps()
+        SdrService._loadProps()
         for id in SdrService.sdrProps.keys():
             if not id in SdrService.sources:
                 props = SdrService.sdrProps[id]