diff --git a/components/tvplanit/examples/datastores/json/unit1.pas b/components/tvplanit/examples/datastores/json/unit1.pas
index fd3fbd2bc..4c64d8746 100644
--- a/components/tvplanit/examples/datastores/json/unit1.pas
+++ b/components/tvplanit/examples/datastores/json/unit1.pas
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ unit Unit1;
 
 { Activate this define to use a JSON string instead of a file }
 
-{$DEFINE USE_JSON_STRING}
+{.$DEFINE USE_JSON_STRING}
 
 interface
 
diff --git a/components/tvplanit/source/vpjsonds.pas b/components/tvplanit/source/vpjsonds.pas
index ceab4c81b..9f8301a3f 100644
--- a/components/tvplanit/source/vpjsonds.pas
+++ b/components/tvplanit/source/vpjsonds.pas
@@ -431,8 +431,8 @@ end;
 procedure TVpJSONDatastore.Loaded;
 begin
   inherited;
-  if not (csDesigning in ComponentState) then
-    Connected := AutoConnect;
+  if not (csDesigning in ComponentState) and AutoConnect then
+    Connected := true;
 end;
 
 procedure TVpJSONDatastore.LoadEvents;
@@ -615,6 +615,9 @@ begin
   if (csDesigning in ComponentState) or (csLoading in ComponentState) then
     Exit;
 
+  if Value = Connected then
+    exit;
+
   { Connecting or disconnecting? }
   if Value then
     ReadJSON