diff --git a/tests/uitests/data/keyfile/defaultconn.ini b/tests/uitests/data/keyfile/defaultconn.ini
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..0b620ce5a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/uitests/data/keyfile/defaultconn.ini
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+[org/virt-manager/virt-manager/vmlist-fields]
+disk-usage=false
+network-traffic=false
+
+[org/virt-manager/virt-manager/connections]
+uris=['test:///default', 'foo:///']
+autoconnect=['test:///default']
+
+[org/virt-manager/virt-manager]
+manager-window-width=550
+manager-window-height=550
diff --git a/tests/uitests/test_prefs.py b/tests/uitests/test_prefs.py
index dfd42b89b..8e576ff18 100644
--- a/tests/uitests/test_prefs.py
+++ b/tests/uitests/test_prefs.py
@@ -89,3 +89,16 @@ class VMMPrefs(uiutils.UITestCase):
         detailswin.find("Details", "page tab").click()
         uiutils.check_in_loop(lambda:
                 detailswin.find("Title:", "text").text == "FOOTITLE")
+
+    def testPrefsKeyfile(self):
+        """
+        Preload some keyfile settings and verify they work as expected
+        """
+        import os
+        keyfile = os.path.dirname(__file__) + "/data/keyfile/defaultconn.ini"
+        self.app.open(use_uri=False, keyfile=keyfile)
+        managerwin = self.app.topwin
+
+        # test:///default should be connected
+        managerwin.find("test default", "table cell")
+        managerwin.find("foo - Not Connected", "table cell")
diff --git a/tests/uitests/utils.py b/tests/uitests/utils.py
index 2043ee685..551d55384 100644
--- a/tests/uitests/utils.py
+++ b/tests/uitests/utils.py
@@ -455,7 +455,7 @@ class VMMDogtailApp(object):
         return bool(self._proc and self._proc.poll() is None)
 
     def open(self, extra_opts=None, check_already_running=True, use_uri=True,
-            window_name=None, xmleditor_enabled=False):
+            window_name=None, xmleditor_enabled=False, keyfile=None):
         extra_opts = extra_opts or []
 
         if tests.utils.TESTCONFIG.debug:
@@ -472,8 +472,20 @@ class VMMDogtailApp(object):
                 "--no-fork"]
         if use_uri:
             cmd += ["--connect", self.uri]
+
+        testoptions = []
         if xmleditor_enabled:
-            cmd += ["--test-options=xmleditor-enabled"]
+            testoptions.append("xmleditor-enabled")
+        if keyfile:
+            import atexit
+            import tempfile
+            tempname = tempfile.mktemp(prefix="virtmanager-uitests-keyfile")
+            open(tempname, "w").write(open(keyfile).read())
+            atexit.register(lambda: os.unlink(tempname))
+            testoptions.append("gsettings-keyfile=%s" % tempname)
+
+        if testoptions:
+            cmd += ["--test-options=%s" % ",".join(testoptions)]
         cmd += extra_opts
 
         if check_already_running: