diff --git a/glue/main.py b/glue/main.py
index 0637c6d5e..0b228b1ce 100644
--- a/glue/main.py
+++ b/glue/main.py
@@ -59,8 +59,7 @@ def load_plugins(splash=None, require_qt_plugins=False, plugins_to_load=None):
     n_plugins = len(plugins_to_require)
 
     for i_plugin, item in enumerate(list(iter_plugin_entry_points())):
-
-        if item.module in plugins_to_load:
+        if item.module in plugins_to_require:
             if item.module not in _installed_plugins:
                 _installed_plugins.add(item.name)
 
@@ -115,3 +114,9 @@ def load_plugins(splash=None, require_qt_plugins=False, plugins_to_load=None):
     # that were previously read.
     from glue._settings_helpers import load_settings
     load_settings()
+
+def list_plugins():
+    """
+    Function to list all plugins that are currently loaded
+    """
+    return sorted(_loaded_plugins)
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/glue/tests/test_main.py b/glue/tests/test_main.py
index 10b35bd86..961416a8d 100644
--- a/glue/tests/test_main.py
+++ b/glue/tests/test_main.py
@@ -1,6 +1,21 @@
 from unittest.mock import patch
 
 from glue.main import load_plugins
+from glue.main import list_plugins
+
+
+def test_load_plugins(capsys):
+    """
+    Test customisable list of plugins load
+    """
+    from glue.logger import logger
+
+    with patch.object(logger, 'info') as info:
+        load_plugins()
+
+    plugin = [call[0][0] for call in info.call_args_list]
+    assert False
+
 
 
 def test_no_duplicate_loading(capsys):
@@ -18,3 +33,13 @@ def test_no_duplicate_loading(capsys):
     for acall in info.call_args_list:
         if 'Loading plugin' in acall[0][0]:
             assert 'failed' in acall[0][0]
+
+
+def test_list_plugins():
+    """
+    Regression test for retrieving the list of currently loaded plugins
+    """
+    load_plugins(require_qt_plugins=False)
+    plugins = list_plugins()
+    assert isinstance(plugins, list)
+    assert len(plugins) == 14