diff --git a/src/libsysprof-ui/sysprof-profiler-menu-button.c b/src/libsysprof-ui/sysprof-profiler-menu-button.c
index 0482163e..361f5a36 100644
--- a/src/libsysprof-ui/sysprof-profiler-menu-button.c
+++ b/src/libsysprof-ui/sysprof-profiler-menu-button.c
@@ -355,7 +355,9 @@ sysprof_profiler_menu_button_clicked (GtkButton *button)
 
   g_assert (SYSPROF_IS_PROFILER_MENU_BUTTON (self));
 
-  sysprof_process_model_queue_reload (priv->process_model);
+  /* don't reload if we aren't showing the list */
+  if (!gtk_switch_get_active (priv->whole_system_switch))
+    sysprof_process_model_queue_reload (priv->process_model);
 
   GTK_BUTTON_CLASS (sysprof_profiler_menu_button_parent_class)->clicked (button);
 }