diff --git a/services/presence/presenceservice.py b/services/presence/presenceservice.py
index f3818ebc..5b6161af 100644
--- a/services/presence/presenceservice.py
+++ b/services/presence/presenceservice.py
@@ -18,11 +18,9 @@ import gobject
 import dbus
 import dbus.service
 from dbus.gobject_service import ExportedGObject
+from dbus.mainloop.glib import DBusGMainLoop
 import logging
 
-# Note that this import has side effects!
-import dbus.glib
-
 from telepathy.client import ManagerRegistry, Connection
 from telepathy.interfaces import (CONN_MGR_INTERFACE, CONN_INTERFACE)
 from telepathy.constants import (CONNECTION_STATUS_CONNECTING,
@@ -422,6 +420,7 @@ class PresenceService(ExportedGObject):
 
 def main(test_num=0, randomize=False):
     loop = gobject.MainLoop()
+    dbus_mainloop_wrapper = DBusGMainLoop(set_as_default=True)
 
     if test_num > 0:
         from pstest import TestPresenceService