diff --git a/crates/engine/src/cmd/file.rs b/crates/engine/src/cmd/file.rs
index f9175b9c..28124b7c 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/cmd/file.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/cmd/file.rs
@@ -520,7 +520,6 @@ fn load_with(
             if loaded.doc.name.is_empty() {
                 loaded.doc.name = file_stem(name_hint);
             }
-            super::styles::apply_paint_bindings_on_load(&mut loaded.doc);
             Ok((loaded, false))
         }
     }
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/variable_tests.rs b/crates/engine/src/variable_tests.rs
index f5808b2c..dcdd04e3 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/variable_tests.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/variable_tests.rs
@@ -53,7 +53,10 @@ fn initial_color_bindings_settle_in_constructor_and_loaders() {
 
     let native = figcraft_format::save_bytes(&stale, None).unwrap();
     let (loaded, _) = crate::cmd::file::load_bytes(&native, "bindings.figcraft").unwrap();
-    let loaded_id = assert_dark_bound_color(&loaded, name_transform);
+    // A native file settles when it opens as a document, not in the loader.
+    let opened = Session::with_document(loaded);
+    let loaded = opened.doc().unwrap();
+    let loaded_id = assert_dark_bound_color(loaded, name_transform);
     assert_eq!(loaded_id, id);
     assert_eq!(loaded.node(id).unwrap().source, stale.first_page());
     assert!(loaded.node(id).unwrap().overrides.contains("sentinel"));