diff --git a/src/dolphinmainwindow.cpp b/src/dolphinmainwindow.cpp
index e0d6c47257..ec15bb978a 100644
--- a/src/dolphinmainwindow.cpp
+++ b/src/dolphinmainwindow.cpp
@@ -214,6 +214,9 @@ DolphinMainWindow::DolphinMainWindow() :
     connect(&m_fileItemActions, &KFileItemActions::error, this, [this](const QString &errorMessage) {
         showErrorMessage(errorMessage);
     });
+
+    connect(GeneralSettings::self(), &GeneralSettings::splitViewChanged,
+            this, &DolphinMainWindow::slotSplitViewChanged);
 }
 
 DolphinMainWindow::~DolphinMainWindow()
@@ -437,6 +440,12 @@ void DolphinMainWindow::openNewTab(const QUrl& url)
     m_tabWidget->openNewTab(url, QUrl());
 }
 
+void DolphinMainWindow::slotSplitViewChanged()
+{
+    m_tabWidget->currentTabPage()->setSplitViewEnabled(GeneralSettings::splitView(), WithAnimation);
+    updateSplitAction();
+}
+
 void DolphinMainWindow::openInNewTab()
 {
     const KFileItemList& list = m_activeViewContainer->view()->selectedItems();
@@ -2101,11 +2110,6 @@ void DolphinMainWindow::refreshViews()
     m_tabWidget->refreshViews();
 
     if (GeneralSettings::modifiedStartupSettings()) {
-        // The startup settings have been changed by the user (see bug #254947).
-        // Synchronize the split-view setting with the active view:
-        const bool splitView = GeneralSettings::splitView();
-        m_tabWidget->currentTabPage()->setSplitViewEnabled(splitView, WithAnimation);
-        updateSplitAction();
         updateWindowTitle();
     }
 
diff --git a/src/dolphinmainwindow.h b/src/dolphinmainwindow.h
index 3a29d1c0a4..46515cc8be 100644
--- a/src/dolphinmainwindow.h
+++ b/src/dolphinmainwindow.h
@@ -171,6 +171,9 @@ public Q_SLOTS:
      */
     void openNewTab(const QUrl& url);
 
+    /** @see GeneralSettings::splitViewChanged() */
+    void slotSplitViewChanged();
+
 Q_SIGNALS:
     /**
      * Is sent if the selection of the currently active view has
diff --git a/src/settings/dolphin_generalsettings.kcfg b/src/settings/dolphin_generalsettings.kcfg
index 728d116346..08f01d72c9 100644
--- a/src/settings/dolphin_generalsettings.kcfg
+++ b/src/settings/dolphin_generalsettings.kcfg
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
     <include>KCompletion</include>
     <kcfgfile name="dolphinrc"/>
     <signal name="sortingChoiceChanged" />
+    <signal name="splitViewChanged" />
     <group name="General">
         <entry name="EditableUrl" type="Bool">
             <label>Should the URL be editable for the user</label>
@@ -49,6 +50,7 @@
         <entry name="SplitView" type="Bool">
             <label>Split the view into two panes</label>
             <default>false</default>
+            <emit signal="splitViewChanged" />
         </entry>
         <entry name="FilterBar" type="Bool">
             <label>Should the filter bar be shown</label>