diff --git a/src/gnome-utils/gnc-file.c b/src/gnome-utils/gnc-file.c
index 54e2df68886..663fe24f503 100644
--- a/src/gnome-utils/gnc-file.c
+++ b/src/gnome-utils/gnc-file.c
@@ -704,6 +704,9 @@ gnc_post_file_open (const char * filename)
         }
         else if (rc == RESPONSE_OPEN)
         {
+            // re-enable the splash screen, file loading and display of
+            // reports may take some time
+            gnc_show_splash_screen();
             /* user told us to ignore locks. So ignore them. */
             qof_session_begin (new_session, newfile, TRUE, FALSE);
         }