diff --git a/wp-includes/default-filters.php b/wp-includes/default-filters.php
index 2cbbef38d..eb0064e45 100644
--- a/wp-includes/default-filters.php
+++ b/wp-includes/default-filters.php
@@ -174,6 +174,6 @@ add_action('admin_print_scripts', 'wp_print_scripts', 20);
 add_action('mce_options', '_mce_set_direction');
 add_action('init', 'smilies_init', 5);
 
-add_action( 'plugins_loaded', 'wp_load_widgets', 0 );
+add_action( 'plugins_loaded', 'wp_maybe_load_widgets', 0 );
 
 ?>
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/wp-includes/functions.php b/wp-includes/functions.php
index 2f2887813..55d128cdc 100644
--- a/wp-includes/functions.php
+++ b/wp-includes/functions.php
@@ -1502,8 +1502,10 @@ function wp_parse_args( $args, $defaults = '' ) {
 	endif;
 }
 
-function wp_load_widgets() {
-	require_once ABSPATH . WPINC . '/widgets.php';
+function wp_maybe_load_widgets() {
+	if ( !function_exists( 'dynamic_sidebar' ) ) {
+		require_once ABSPATH . WPINC . '/widgets.php';
+	}
 }
 
 ?>
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/wp-includes/widgets.php b/wp-includes/widgets.php
index 447bfd41d..e177af345 100644
--- a/wp-includes/widgets.php
+++ b/wp-includes/widgets.php
@@ -1,14 +1,5 @@
 <?php
 
-/*
-	Check if another widget plugin is active. If this is so, 
-	then bail out.
-*/
-
-if ( function_exists( 'dynamic_sidebar' ) ) {
-	return;
-}
-
 /* Global Variables */
 
 global $wp_registered_sidebars, $wp_registered_widgets, $wp_registered_widget_controls, $wp_registered_widget_styles, $wp_registered_widget_defaults;