diff --git a/packages/node_modules/@node-red/runtime/lib/settings.js b/packages/node_modules/@node-red/runtime/lib/settings.js
index 35417a497..e22a90686 100644
--- a/packages/node_modules/@node-red/runtime/lib/settings.js
+++ b/packages/node_modules/@node-red/runtime/lib/settings.js
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ var persistentSettings = {
             throw new Error(log._("settings.not-available"));
         }
         var current = globalSettings[prop];
-        globalSettings[prop] = value;
+        globalSettings[prop] = clone(value);
         try {
             assert.deepEqual(current,value);
             return when.resolve();