diff --git a/lib/config.js b/lib/config.js
index <HASH>..<HASH> 100644
--- a/lib/config.js
+++ b/lib/config.js
@@ -873,7 +873,9 @@ exports.extend = function (newConf) {
       });
 
       if (config.headless) {
-        config.noGlobalPlugins = true;
+        if (!config.pluginsMode) {
+          config.noGlobalPlugins = true;
+        }
         config.pluginsOnlyMode = true;
         config.disableWebUI = true;
         delete config.rulesOnlyMode;
feat: allow global plugins in headless mode