diff --git a/src/main/java/junit/runner/BaseTestRunner.java b/src/main/java/junit/runner/BaseTestRunner.java
index e01772d14167..d63fae7ac2cb 100644
--- a/src/main/java/junit/runner/BaseTestRunner.java
+++ b/src/main/java/junit/runner/BaseTestRunner.java
@@ -235,6 +235,7 @@ private static void readPreferences() {
             setPreferences(new Properties(getPreferences()));
             getPreferences().load(is);
         } catch (IOException ignored) {
+        } catch (SecurityException ignored) {
         } finally {
             try {
                 if (is != null) {