diff --git a/core/org.eclipse.cdt.core/model/org/eclipse/cdt/internal/core/language/settings/providers/LanguageSettingsProvidersSerializer.java b/core/org.eclipse.cdt.core/model/org/eclipse/cdt/internal/core/language/settings/providers/LanguageSettingsProvidersSerializer.java
index a19ec1b3272..20125a89e29 100644
--- a/core/org.eclipse.cdt.core/model/org/eclipse/cdt/internal/core/language/settings/providers/LanguageSettingsProvidersSerializer.java
+++ b/core/org.eclipse.cdt.core/model/org/eclipse/cdt/internal/core/language/settings/providers/LanguageSettingsProvidersSerializer.java
@@ -367,7 +367,7 @@ public class LanguageSettingsProvidersSerializer {
 	 */
 	public static void setWorkspaceProviders(List<ILanguageSettingsProvider> providers) throws CoreException {
 		setWorkspaceProvidersInternal(providers);
-		serializeLanguageSettingsWorkspace();
+		serializeLanguageSettingsWorkspaceInBackground();
 		// generate preference change event for preference change listeners (value is not intended to be used)
 		IEclipsePreferences prefs = InstanceScope.INSTANCE.getNode(CCorePlugin.PLUGIN_ID);
 		prefs.putBoolean(PREFERENCE_WORSPACE_PROVIDERS_SET, ! prefs.getBoolean(PREFERENCE_WORSPACE_PROVIDERS_SET, false));