diff --git a/lisp/gnus/gnus-start.el b/lisp/gnus/gnus-start.el
index 02bbe19e7fe..4bbeb24dc39 100644
--- a/lisp/gnus/gnus-start.el
+++ b/lisp/gnus/gnus-start.el
@@ -715,6 +715,9 @@ the first newsgroup."
        (kill-buffer (get-file-buffer gnus-current-startup-file)))
   ;; Clear the dribble buffer.
   (gnus-dribble-clear)
+  ;; Reset the level when Gnus is restarted.
+  (when (numberp gnus-group-use-permanent-levels)
+    (setq gnus-group-use-permanent-levels t))
   ;; Kill global KILL file buffer.
   (when (get-file-buffer (gnus-newsgroup-kill-file nil))
     (kill-buffer (get-file-buffer (gnus-newsgroup-kill-file nil))))