diff --git a/application/models/Plugin.php b/application/models/Plugin.php
index a9212dd3dab..7f76299af8a 100644
--- a/application/models/Plugin.php
+++ b/application/models/Plugin.php
@@ -47,9 +47,14 @@ public function tableName()
      */
     public function setLoadError(array $error)
     {
-        $this->load_error = 1;
-        $this->load_error_message = $error['message'] . ' ' . $error['file'];
-        return $this->update();
+        // NB: Don't use ActiveRecord here, since it will trigger events and
+        // load the plugin system all over again.
+        // TODO: Works on all SQL systems?
+        $sql = sprintf(
+            "UPDATE {{plugins}} SET load_error = 1, load_error_message = '%s' WHERE id = " . $this->id,
+            addslashes($error['message'] . ' ' . $error['file'])
+        );
+        return \Yii::app()->db->createCommand($sql)->execute();
     }
 
     /**