diff --git a/docs/src/develop/plugins/server_plugin_api.md b/docs/src/develop/plugins/server_plugin_api.md
index 7a12a4cc0..e0d3e5742 100644
--- a/docs/src/develop/plugins/server_plugin_api.md
+++ b/docs/src/develop/plugins/server_plugin_api.md
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ These functions are available via the `app` object passed to the plugin when it
 
 #### `app.getFeatures(enabed)`
 
-Returns an object detailing the available APIs and Plugins.
+Returns a Promise containing an object detailing the available APIs and Plugins.
 
 The `enabled` parameter is optional and has the following values:
 - `undefined` (not provided): list all features
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ The `enabled` parameter is optional and has the following values:
 
 _Example:_
 ```javascript
-let features = app.getFeatures();
+const features = await app.getFeatures();
 
 {
   "apis": [
diff --git a/src/index.ts b/src/index.ts
index 574a7d519..19e508907 100644
--- a/src/index.ts
+++ b/src/index.ts
@@ -132,9 +132,25 @@ class Server {
 
     // feature detection
     app.getFeatures = async (enabled?: boolean) => {
+      const checkPMStarted = (): Promise<boolean> => {
+        return new Promise((resolve) => {
+          setImmediate(() => {
+            resolve(typeof app.getPluginsList === 'function')
+          })
+        })
+      }
+      const maxTries = 10
+      let tries = 0
+      let pmStarted = false
+
+      while (!pmStarted && tries < maxTries) {
+        tries++
+        pmStarted = await checkPMStarted()
+      }
+      const plugins = pmStarted ? await app.getPluginsList(enabled) : []
       return {
         apis: enabled === false ? [] : app.apis,
-        plugins: await app.getPluginsList(enabled)
+        plugins: plugins
       }
     }