diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 7b95855b..f9d762bd 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -63,5 +63,11 @@ if("shell" IN_LIST ENABLE_MODULES)
     foreach(dir assets components config modules services utils)
         install(DIRECTORY ${dir} DESTINATION "${INSTALL_QSCONFDIR}")
     endforeach()
-    install(FILES shell.qml LICENSE DESTINATION "${INSTALL_QSCONFDIR}")
+
+    file(READ shell.qml SHELL_QML)
+    string(REPLACE "settings.watchFiles: true" "settings.watchFiles: false" SHELL_QML "${SHELL_QML}")
+    file(WRITE "${CMAKE_BINARY_DIR}/qml/shell.qml" "${SHELL_QML}")
+    install(FILES "${CMAKE_BINARY_DIR}/qml/shell.qml" DESTINATION "${INSTALL_QSCONFDIR}")
+
+    install(FILES LICENSE DESTINATION "${INSTALL_QSCONFDIR}")
 endif()
diff --git a/shell.qml b/shell.qml
index 3ce77769..7ef1014d 100644
--- a/shell.qml
+++ b/shell.qml
@@ -10,6 +10,8 @@ import "modules/lock"
 import Quickshell
 
 ShellRoot {
+    settings.watchFiles: true
+
     Background {}
     Drawers {}
     AreaPicker {}