diff --git a/client/ayon_core/hosts/substancepainter/plugins/load/load_mesh.py b/client/ayon_core/hosts/substancepainter/plugins/load/load_mesh.py
index 6a67f5c686..d5aac1191c 100644
--- a/client/ayon_core/hosts/substancepainter/plugins/load/load_mesh.py
+++ b/client/ayon_core/hosts/substancepainter/plugins/load/load_mesh.py
@@ -161,17 +161,16 @@ class SubstanceLoadProjectMesh(load.LoaderPlugin):
         if not result:
             # cancelling loader action
             return
-        sp_settings = substance_painter.project.Settings(
-            import_cameras=result["import_cameras"],
-            normal_map_format=result["normal_map_format"],
-            project_workflow=result["project_workflow"],
-            tangent_space_mode=result["tangent_space_mode"],
-            default_texture_resolution=result["default_texture_resolution"]
-        )
         if not substance_painter.project.is_open():
             # Allow to 'initialize' a new project
             path = self.filepath_from_context(context)
-
+            sp_settings = substance_painter.project.Settings(
+                import_cameras=result["import_cameras"],
+                normal_map_format=result["normal_map_format"],
+                project_workflow=result["project_workflow"],
+                tangent_space_mode=result["tangent_space_mode"],
+                default_texture_resolution=result["default_texture_resolution"]
+            )
             settings = substance_painter.project.create(
                 mesh_file_path=path, settings=sp_settings
             )