diff --git a/lib/libimhex/source/api/content_registry.cpp b/lib/libimhex/source/api/content_registry.cpp
index 311aac226..a8e3903a9 100644
--- a/lib/libimhex/source/api/content_registry.cpp
+++ b/lib/libimhex/source/api/content_registry.cpp
@@ -107,6 +107,8 @@ namespace hex {
                     if (!s_settings.isValid())
                         return;
 
+                    const auto &settingsData = *s_settings;
+
                     // During a crash settings can be empty, causing them to be overwritten.
                     if (settingsData.empty()) {
                         return;