diff --git a/plinth/__main__.py b/plinth/__main__.py
index 4ab44f5c0..500250a59 100644
--- a/plinth/__main__.py
+++ b/plinth/__main__.py
@@ -108,9 +108,6 @@ def main():
 
     if arguments.list_dependencies is not False:
         log.default_level = 'ERROR'
-        web_framework.init(read_only=True)
-        module_loader.include_urls()
-        menu.init()
         module_loader.load_modules()
         module_loader.apps_init()
         list_dependencies(arguments.list_dependencies)
diff --git a/plinth/web_framework.py b/plinth/web_framework.py
index 678012688..9fc8b6433 100644
--- a/plinth/web_framework.py
+++ b/plinth/web_framework.py
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ from . import cfg, glib, log, module_loader, settings
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
-def init(read_only=False):
+def init():
     """Setup Django configuration in the absence of .settings file"""
     # Workaround for django-simple-captcha 0.5.6 not being compatible with
     # Django 3.2. 0.5.14 is almost there in Debian. Workaround only until then.
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ def init(read_only=False):
     settings.LANGUAGES = get_languages()
     settings.LOGGING = log.get_configuration()
     settings.MESSAGE_TAGS = {message_constants.ERROR: 'danger'}
-    settings.SECRET_KEY = _get_secret_key(read_only)
+    settings.SECRET_KEY = _get_secret_key()
     settings.SESSION_FILE_PATH = os.path.join(cfg.data_dir, 'sessions')
     settings.STATIC_URL = '/'.join([cfg.server_dir,
                                     'static/']).replace('//', '/')
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ def post_init():
     glib.schedule(24 * 3600, _cleanup_expired_sessions, in_thread=True)
 
 
-def _get_secret_key(read_only=False):
+def _get_secret_key():
     """Retrieve or create a new Django secret key."""
     secret_key_file = pathlib.Path(cfg.data_dir) / 'django-secret.key'
     if secret_key_file.exists():
@@ -77,9 +77,6 @@ def _get_secret_key(read_only=False):
         if len(secret_key) >= 128:
             return secret_key
 
-    if read_only:
-        return ''
-
     secret_key = _generate_secret_key()
     # File should be created with permission 0o700
     old_umask = os.umask(0o077)