diff --git a/picard/util/icontheme.py b/picard/util/icontheme.py
index b6ee5c0e6..c5eeabe59 100644
--- a/picard/util/icontheme.py
+++ b/picard/util/icontheme.py
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ else:
     ]
 
 if 'DESKTOP_SESSION' in os.environ and os.environ['DESKTOP_SESSION'].lower() == 'gnome':
-    _current_theme = os.popen('gconftool-2 -g /desktop/gnome/interface/icon_theme').read().strip() or os.popen('gsettings get org.gnome.desktop.interface icon-theme').read().strip() or None
+    _current_theme = os.popen('gconftool-2 -g /desktop/gnome/interface/icon_theme').read().strip() or os.popen('gsettings get org.gnome.desktop.interface icon-theme').read().strip()[1:-1] or None
 elif os.environ.get('KDE_FULL_SESSION'):
     _current_theme = os.popen("kreadconfig --file kdeglobals --group Icons --key Theme --default crystalsvg").read().strip() or None
 else: