diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 0cf4037f..e07ea442 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ CAD program, and create G-Code for Isolation routing.
 
 - changed the order of the menu entries in the FIle -> Open ...
 - organized the list of recent files so the Project entries are to the top and separated from the other types of file
+- work on identification of changes in Preferences tab
 
 30.07.2019
 
diff --git a/flatcamGUI/FlatCAMGUI.py b/flatcamGUI/FlatCAMGUI.py
index bc3b4885..09ec9283 100644
--- a/flatcamGUI/FlatCAMGUI.py
+++ b/flatcamGUI/FlatCAMGUI.py
@@ -810,7 +810,7 @@ class FlatCAMGUI(QtWidgets.QMainWindow):
         self.right_lay.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
         self.right_widget.setLayout(self.right_lay)
         # self.plot_tab_area = FCTab()
-        self.plot_tab_area = FCDetachableTab(protect=False, protect_by_name=[_('Plot Area')])
+        self.plot_tab_area = FCDetachableTab2(protect=False, protect_by_name=[_('Plot Area')])
         self.plot_tab_area.useOldIndex(True)
 
         self.right_lay.addWidget(self.plot_tab_area)
diff --git a/flatcamGUI/GUIElements.py b/flatcamGUI/GUIElements.py
index 548792c5..e24a9512 100644
--- a/flatcamGUI/GUIElements.py
+++ b/flatcamGUI/GUIElements.py
@@ -884,6 +884,7 @@ class FCDetachableTab(QtWidgets.QTabWidget):
         :param currentIndex:
         :return:
         """
+
         self.removeTab(currentIndex)
 
     def protectTab(self, currentIndex):
@@ -1348,6 +1349,25 @@ class FCDetachableTab(QtWidgets.QTabWidget):
             self.detachedTabDropSignal.emit(name, index, dropPos)
 
 
+class FCDetachableTab2(FCDetachableTab):
+
+    def __init__(self, protect=None, protect_by_name=None, parent=None):
+        super(FCDetachableTab2, self).__init__(protect=protect, protect_by_name=protect_by_name, parent=parent)
+
+    def closeTab(self, currentIndex):
+        """
+        Slot connected to the tabCloseRequested signal
+
+        :param currentIndex:
+        :return:
+        """
+        idx = self.currentIndex()
+        if self.tabText(idx) == _("Preferences"):
+            #TODO work on this, identify if widget changed and print a status message
+            pass
+
+        self.removeTab(currentIndex)
+
 class VerticalScrollArea(QtWidgets.QScrollArea):
     """
     This widget extends QtGui.QScrollArea to make a vertical-only