diff --git a/IPython/html/base/handlers.py b/IPython/html/base/handlers.py
index d7aefa6..c64ebd7 100644
--- a/IPython/html/base/handlers.py
+++ b/IPython/html/base/handlers.py
@@ -37,6 +37,8 @@ from IPython.html.utils import is_hidden, url_path_join, url_escape
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 non_alphanum = re.compile(r'[^A-Za-z0-9]')
 
+sys_info = json.dumps(get_sys_info())
+
 class AuthenticatedHandler(web.RequestHandler):
     """A RequestHandler with an authenticated user."""
 
@@ -222,7 +224,7 @@ class IPythonHandler(AuthenticatedHandler):
             logged_in=self.logged_in,
             login_available=self.login_available,
             static_url=self.static_url,
-            sys_info=json.dumps(get_sys_info())
+            sys_info=sys_info
         )
     
     def get_json_body(self):