diff --git a/lib/iris/experimental/ugrid/load.py b/lib/iris/experimental/ugrid/load.py
index d4e6d8afc3..544102a73e 100644
--- a/lib/iris/experimental/ugrid/load.py
+++ b/lib/iris/experimental/ugrid/load.py
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ def __init__(self):
             https://ugrid-conventions.github.io/ugrid-conventions/
 
         """
-        self._state = False
+        self._state = True
 
     def __bool__(self):
         return self._state
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ def context(self):
             self._state = True
             yield
         finally:
-            self._state = False
+            self._state = True
 
 
 #: Run-time switch for experimental UGRID-aware NetCDF loading. See :class:`~iris.experimental.ugrid.load.ParseUGridOnLoad`.