diff --git a/modules/lang/ruby/autoload.el b/modules/lang/ruby/autoload.el
index 70f3e68ff..47e5b1f73 100644
--- a/modules/lang/ruby/autoload.el
+++ b/modules/lang/ruby/autoload.el
@@ -13,3 +13,9 @@ open."
           (when (processp process)
             (kill-process (get-buffer-process inf-buffer))
             (kill-buffer inf-buffer)))))))
+
+;;;###autoload
+(defun +ruby-robe-repl-handler ()
+  "Start Robe and open a REPL (for `set-repl-handler!')."
+  (robe-start)
+  (robe-inf-buffer))
diff --git a/modules/lang/ruby/config.el b/modules/lang/ruby/config.el
index 61f2d46d1..31cc15c4b 100644
--- a/modules/lang/ruby/config.el
+++ b/modules/lang/ruby/config.el
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@
           (bound-and-true-p lsp--buffer-deferred)
           (robe-mode +1))))
   :config
-  (set-repl-handler! 'ruby-mode #'robe-start)
+  (set-repl-handler! 'ruby-mode #'+ruby-robe-repl-handler)
   (set-company-backend! 'ruby-mode 'company-robe 'company-dabbrev-code)
   (set-lookup-handlers! 'ruby-mode
     :definition #'robe-jump