diff --git a/xtendr/xtendrsystem.py b/xtendr/xtendrsystem.py
index 5d4273f..6effe80 100644
--- a/xtendr/xtendrsystem.py
+++ b/xtendr/xtendrsystem.py
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import importlib
 import sys
 import os
 import json
+import threading
 from xtendr.xtendrbase import XtendRBase
 
 __version__ = "0.1.3"
@@ -74,7 +75,7 @@ class XtendRSystem:
         """Pre-load data if needed"""
         if name in plugins:
             if self.plugins[name].use_pre_load: # Is pre-loading neccessary?
-                self.plugins[name].pre_load()
+                threading.Thread(target=self.plugins[name].pre_load()).start()
 
     def run(self, name: str, *args, **kwargs):
         """Run the plugin's 'run' method if available."""