diff --git a/deluge/core/core.py b/deluge/core/core.py
index 4bda8113a..4ca3d9629 100644
--- a/deluge/core/core.py
+++ b/deluge/core/core.py
@@ -84,7 +84,10 @@ class Core(component.Component):
         while len(version) < 4:
             version.append(0)
 
-        self.session = lt.session(lt.fingerprint("DE", *version), flags=0)
+        # Note: All libtorrent python bindings to set plugins/extensions need to be disabled
+        # due to  GIL issue. https://code.google.com/p/libtorrent/issues/detail?id=369
+        # Setting session flags to 1 enables all libtorrent default plugins
+        self.session = lt.session(lt.fingerprint("DE", *version), flags=1)
 
         # Load the session state if available
         self.__load_session_state()
@@ -103,9 +106,11 @@ class Core(component.Component):
         self.session.set_settings(self.settings)
 
         # Load metadata extension
-        self.session.add_extension(lt.create_metadata_plugin)
-        self.session.add_extension(lt.create_ut_metadata_plugin)
-        self.session.add_extension(lt.create_smart_ban_plugin)
+        # Note: All libtorrent python bindings to set plugins/extensions need to be disabled
+        # due to  GIL issue. https://code.google.com/p/libtorrent/issues/detail?id=369
+        # self.session.add_extension(lt.create_metadata_plugin)
+        # self.session.add_extension(lt.create_ut_metadata_plugin)
+        # self.session.add_extension(lt.create_smart_ban_plugin)
 
         # Create the components
         self.eventmanager = EventManager()
diff --git a/deluge/core/preferencesmanager.py b/deluge/core/preferencesmanager.py
index 40070bbe9..2a5cb1b34 100644
--- a/deluge/core/preferencesmanager.py
+++ b/deluge/core/preferencesmanager.py
@@ -338,7 +338,10 @@ class PreferencesManager(component.Component):
     def _on_set_utpex(self, key, value):
         log.debug("utpex value set to %s", value)
         if value:
-            self.session.add_extension(lt.create_ut_pex_plugin)
+            # Note: All libtorrent python bindings to set plugins/extensions need to be disabled
+            # due to  GIL issue. https://code.google.com/p/libtorrent/issues/detail?id=369
+            #self.session.add_extension(lt.create_ut_pex_plugin)
+            pass
 
     def _on_set_encryption(self, key, value):
         log.debug("encryption value %s set to %s..", key, value)