diff --git a/filmatyk/gui.py b/filmatyk/gui.py
index b6b442e..959ef2a 100644
--- a/filmatyk/gui.py
+++ b/filmatyk/gui.py
@@ -145,8 +145,8 @@ def __init__(self, debugMode=False, isOnLinux=False):
     # load the savefile
     self.dataManager = DataManager(self.getFilename(), VERSION)
     userdata = self.dataManager.load()
-    # create the options manager
-    self.options = Options(userdata.options_json)
+    # initialize the options manager
+    Options.init(userdata.options_json)
     # construct the window: first the notebook for tabbed view
     self.notebook = ttk.Notebook(root)
     self.notebook.grid(row=0, column=0, padx=5, pady=5, sticky=tk.NW)
@@ -256,7 +256,7 @@ def saveUserData(self):
     if not (
         any([db.isDirty for db in self.databases]) or
         any([ps.isDirty for ps in self.presenters]) or
-        self.options.isDirty
+        Options.isDirty
       ):
       return
     # construct the UserData object
@@ -268,7 +268,7 @@ def saveUserData(self):
       series_data=self.databases[1].storeToString(),
       games_conf=self.presenters[2].storeToString(),
       games_data=self.databases[2].storeToString(),
-      options_json=self.options.storeToString(),
+      options_json=Options.storeToString(),
     )
     # request the manager to save it
     self.dataManager.save(serialized_data)
diff --git a/filmatyk/options.py b/filmatyk/options.py
index 6182236..7ca72c7 100644
--- a/filmatyk/options.py
+++ b/filmatyk/options.py
@@ -1,3 +1,21 @@
+"""Options is a globally accessible class holding all program options.
+
+The only exported object is a singleton instance of the Options class. Usage:
+  from options import Options
+The instance has to be initialized (by passing a JSON string with serialized
+initial values) or at least confirmed on assuming default values:
+  Options.init(json_string)
+After that - and ONLY after that - it can be used in two ways.
+Access to an option value:
+  Options.get('option_name')
+Direct access to the underlying TkVar:
+  Options.var('option_name')
+
+This gives a convenient access to options from wherever in the program,
+assuming the actual call to get or var happens AFTER the initialization of the
+instance.
+"""
+
 import json
 import os
 
@@ -5,21 +23,25 @@
 from tkinter import ttk
 
 
-class Options():
+class _Options():
   """Stores program options as named Tk variables, allowing easy serialization.
 
   Options wraps around a simple dict of Tk vars, which enables the following:
   * easy access to option values (using get),
-  * simple binding of option variables to Tk widgets (using variable),
+  * simple binding of option variables to Tk widgets (using var),
   * serialization and deserialization to JSON (using storeToString).
   Defining a new option is done simply by adding it to the prototypes list.
   """
   option_prototypes = [
   ]
 
-  def __init__(self, json_string:str='{}'):
+  def __init__(self):
     self.variables = {}
     self.isDirty = False
+    self.isInit = False
+
+  def init(self, json_string:str='{}'):
+    """Restore the JSON-serialized values."""
     saved_values = json.loads(json_string)
     for name, vtype, default in self.option_prototypes:
       variable = vtype()
@@ -27,6 +49,7 @@ def __init__(self, json_string:str='{}'):
       variable.set(value)
       variable.trace('w', self.__touched_callback)
       self.variables[name] = variable
+    self.isInit = True
 
   def storeToString(self):
     """Serialize the options to a JSON string."""
@@ -36,12 +59,19 @@ def storeToString(self):
 
   def get(self, name):
     """Get the value of a named option."""
+    if not self.isInit:
+      raise AttributeError
     return self.variables[name].get()
 
-  def variable(self, name):
+  def var(self, name):
     """Get Tk variable object of a named option."""
+    if not self.isInit:
+      raise AttributeError
     return self.variables[name]
 
   def __touched_callback(self, *args):
     """Set the dirty flag whenever an option changes."""
     self.isDirty = True
+
+
+Options = _Options()