diff --git a/src/main/java/codechicken/nei/ClientHandler.java b/src/main/java/codechicken/nei/ClientHandler.java
index c3429a9a..401fe28c 100644
--- a/src/main/java/codechicken/nei/ClientHandler.java
+++ b/src/main/java/codechicken/nei/ClientHandler.java
@@ -276,7 +276,11 @@ public class ClientHandler {
 
             if (!NEIClientConfig.isEnabled()) return;
 
-            KeyManager.tickKeyStates();
+            /*
+             * NEI plugins are loaded in a separate thread. Make sure loading them has finished otherwise a CME might
+             * occur in KeyManager if a plugin calls API.addKeyBind() during initialization.
+             */
+            if (NEIClientConfig.isLoaded()) KeyManager.tickKeyStates();
 
             NEIController.updateUnlimitedItems(mc.thePlayer.inventory);
             if (mc.currentScreen == null) NEIController.processCreativeCycling(mc.thePlayer.inventory);
diff --git a/src/main/java/codechicken/nei/NEIClientConfig.java b/src/main/java/codechicken/nei/NEIClientConfig.java
index 15025876..de4a0a0b 100644
--- a/src/main/java/codechicken/nei/NEIClientConfig.java
+++ b/src/main/java/codechicken/nei/NEIClientConfig.java
@@ -472,8 +472,6 @@ public class NEIClientConfig {
         NEIController.load();
         RecipeCatalysts.loadCatalystInfo();
 
-        configLoaded = true;
-
         new Thread("NEI Plugin Loader") {
 
             @Override
@@ -496,6 +494,7 @@ public class NEIClientConfig {
                 }
 
                 MinecraftForge.EVENT_BUS.post(new NEIConfigsLoadedEvent());
+                configLoaded = true;
             }
         }.start();
         ItemSorter.loadConfig();
@@ -597,6 +596,10 @@ public class NEIClientConfig {
         return enabledOverride && getBooleanSetting("inventory.widgetsenabled");
     }
 
+    public static boolean isLoaded() {
+        return configLoaded;
+    }
+
     public static boolean loadHandlersFromJar() {
         return !getBooleanSetting("tools.handler_load_from_config");
     }