diff --git a/qtgui/mainwindow.py b/qtgui/mainwindow.py
index 7e22e82..d8c0376 100644
--- a/qtgui/mainwindow.py
+++ b/qtgui/mainwindow.py
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ class MainWindow(QtWidgets.QMainWindow):
         logger.info("Trying to restore cached program database")
         settings = QtCore.QSettings("LaborejoSoftwareSuite", METADATA["shortName"])
         if settings.contains("programDatabase"):
-            listOfDicts = settings.value("programDatabase")
+            listOfDicts = settings.value("programDatabase", type=list)
             api.setSystemsPrograms(listOfDicts)
             logger.info("Restored program database from qt cache to engine")
             self._updateGUIWithCachedPrograms()