diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index b19eac4..0960029 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -4,6 +4,10 @@
 
 WordPress 6.4 or newer is now required!
 
+### Added
+
+* Disable autoloading of plugin options when plugin is deactivated [#160](https://github.com/chesio/bc-security/issues/160).
+
 ### Changed
 
 * WordPress 6.4 is required [#159](https://github.com/chesio/bc-security/issues/159).
diff --git a/classes/BlueChip/Security/Core/Settings.php b/classes/BlueChip/Security/Core/Settings.php
index 416cae4..6a95596 100644
--- a/classes/BlueChip/Security/Core/Settings.php
+++ b/classes/BlueChip/Security/Core/Settings.php
@@ -188,6 +188,15 @@ public function reset(): bool
     }
 
 
+    /**
+     * Set $autoload value of option.
+     */
+    public function setAutoload(bool $autoload): bool
+    {
+        return wp_set_option_autoload($this->option_name, $autoload);
+    }
+
+
     /**
      * Remove the data from database (= hard reset).
      *
diff --git a/classes/BlueChip/Security/Plugin.php b/classes/BlueChip/Security/Plugin.php
index 362abfd..383a8f3 100644
--- a/classes/BlueChip/Security/Plugin.php
+++ b/classes/BlueChip/Security/Plugin.php
@@ -161,9 +161,9 @@ private function init(): void
      */
     public function activate(): void
     {
-        // Explicitly persist every setting object, so related option is autoloaded.
+        // Make sure plugin related options are autoloaded when plugin is active.
         foreach ($this->settings as $settings) {
-            $settings->persist();
+            $settings->setAutoload(true);
         }
 
         // Install every module that requires it.
@@ -196,6 +196,11 @@ public function deactivate(): void
                 $module->deactivate();
             }
         }
+
+        // Make sure plugin related options are *not* autoloaded when plugin is inactive.
+        foreach ($this->settings as $settings) {
+            $settings->setAutoload(false);
+        }
     }