diff --git a/invenio_accounts/models.py b/invenio_accounts/models.py
index db81bf71..58a405aa 100644
--- a/invenio_accounts/models.py
+++ b/invenio_accounts/models.py
@@ -239,7 +239,7 @@ def preferences(self):
         if self._preferences is None:
             return None
         elif not isinstance(self._preferences, UserPreferenceDict):
-            self._preferences = UserPreferenceDict(**self._preferences)
+            return UserPreferenceDict(**self._preferences)
 
         return self._preferences