diff --git a/chrome/content/zotero/xpcom/plugins.js b/chrome/content/zotero/xpcom/plugins.js
index 1f6c847256..3c0e59e0e4 100644
--- a/chrome/content/zotero/xpcom/plugins.js
+++ b/chrome/content/zotero/xpcom/plugins.js
@@ -389,7 +389,7 @@ Zotero.Plugins = new function () {
 		var obj = {
 			pref(pref, _value) {
 				if (!branch.prefHasUserValue(pref)) {
-					branch.deleteBranch(pref);
+					branch.clearUserPref(pref);
 				}
 			}
 		};