diff --git a/apps/niftest/niftest.cpp b/apps/niftest/niftest.cpp
index f848ae330..e9484d5f5 100644
--- a/apps/niftest/niftest.cpp
+++ b/apps/niftest/niftest.cpp
@@ -132,6 +132,7 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
     if(!parseOptions (argc, argv, files))
         return 1;
 
+    Nif::NIFFile::setLoadUnsupportedFiles(true);
 //     std::cout << "Reading Files" << std::endl;
     for(std::vector<std::string>::const_iterator it=files.begin(); it!=files.end(); ++it)
     {
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwrender/renderingmanager.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwrender/renderingmanager.cpp
index 0aef614c8..068b3e46c 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwrender/renderingmanager.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwrender/renderingmanager.cpp
@@ -361,6 +361,7 @@ namespace MWRender
         mViewer->getCamera()->setCullMask(~(Mask_UpdateVisitor|Mask_SimpleWater));
         NifOsg::Loader::setHiddenNodeMask(Mask_UpdateVisitor);
         NifOsg::Loader::setIntersectionDisabledNodeMask(Mask_Effect);
+        Nif::NIFFile::setLoadUnsupportedFiles(Settings::Manager::getBool("load unsupported nif files", "Models"));
 
         mNearClip = Settings::Manager::getFloat("near clip", "Camera");
         mViewDistance = Settings::Manager::getFloat("viewing distance", "Camera");
diff --git a/components/nif/niffile.cpp b/components/nif/niffile.cpp
index 8214a8288..06b4a89d0 100644
--- a/components/nif/niffile.cpp
+++ b/components/nif/niffile.cpp
@@ -5,8 +5,6 @@
 #include <map>
 #include <sstream>
 
-#include <components/settings/settings.hpp>
-
 namespace Nif
 {
 
@@ -182,8 +180,7 @@ void NIFFile::parse(Files::IStreamPtr stream)
     }
     if (!supported)
     {
-        static const bool ignoreUnsupported = Settings::Manager::getBool("load unsupported nif files", "Models");
-        if (ignoreUnsupported)
+        if (sLoadUnsupportedFiles)
             warn("Unsupported NIF version: " + printVersion(ver) + ". Proceed with caution!");
         else
             fail("Unsupported NIF version: " + printVersion(ver));
@@ -331,4 +328,11 @@ bool NIFFile::getUseSkinning() const
     return mUseSkinning;
 }
 
+bool NIFFile::sLoadUnsupportedFiles = false;
+
+void NIFFile::setLoadUnsupportedFiles(bool load)
+{
+    sLoadUnsupportedFiles = load;
+}
+
 }
diff --git a/components/nif/niffile.hpp b/components/nif/niffile.hpp
index 9d8edac26..c6dd8af75 100644
--- a/components/nif/niffile.hpp
+++ b/components/nif/niffile.hpp
@@ -62,6 +62,8 @@ class NIFFile final : public File
 
     bool mUseSkinning = false;
 
+    static bool sLoadUnsupportedFiles;
+
     /// Parse the file
     void parse(Files::IStreamPtr stream);
 
@@ -149,6 +151,8 @@ public:
 
     /// Get the Bethesda version of the NIF format used
     unsigned int getBethVersion() const override { return bethVer; }
+
+    static void setLoadUnsupportedFiles(bool load);
 };
 using NIFFilePtr = std::shared_ptr<const Nif::NIFFile>;