diff --git a/pype/tools/settings/settings/widgets/categories.py b/pype/tools/settings/settings/widgets/categories.py
index d2e3ce0d1a..5483e485a2 100644
--- a/pype/tools/settings/settings/widgets/categories.py
+++ b/pype/tools/settings/settings/widgets/categories.py
@@ -458,12 +458,12 @@ class ProjectWidget(SettingsCategoryWidget):
             self.modify_defaults_checkbox.setEnabled(False)
 
     def _on_project_change(self):
-        self.set_state(CategoryState.Working)
-
         project_name = self.project_list_widget.project_name()
         if project_name == self.project_name:
             return
 
+        self.set_state(CategoryState.Working)
+
         self.entity.change_project(project_name)
         self.reset()