diff --git a/src/main-process/atom-window.js b/src/main-process/atom-window.js
index ae6e1ccc9..100d3a9a8 100644
--- a/src/main-process/atom-window.js
+++ b/src/main-process/atom-window.js
@@ -57,7 +57,9 @@ class AtomWindow extends EventEmitter {
 
     Object.defineProperty(this.browserWindow, 'loadSettingsJSON', {
       get: () => JSON.stringify(Object.assign({
-        userSettings: this.atomApplication.configFile.get()
+        userSettings: !this.isSpec
+          ? this.atomApplication.configFile.get()
+          : null
       }, this.loadSettings)),
       configurable: true
     })