Load driver (200; 300) for driving a LED load, said load driver (200; 300) is a switched-mode driver and comprising: an output buffer capacitor (125; 324); two output terminals (128, 129; 328, 329) coupled to the output buffer capacitor (125; 324) for coupling to the load; a coupling diode (202; 325) coupled in forward connection from a first output terminal (129; 329) of the two output terminals to a first terminal of the output buffer capacitor (125; 324); a positive voltage bus (105; 305) coupled to a second output terminal (128, 328) of the two output terminals and to a second terminal of the output buffer capacitor (125; 324) for providing a positive bias voltage to the LED load; and a converter circuit for outputting power through said two output terminals (128, 129; 328, 329) comprising: a startup terminal (111, 314) for receiving a startup current (Is), wherein said startup terminal is coupled to said first output terminal (129; 329); and a controllable switching element, wherein said startup terminal connects to a control terminal of the controllable switching element such that the control terminal of the controllable switching element is in series connection with the two output terminals (128, 129; 328, 329), and said switching element is turned on by the startup current (Is), characterised in that the startup current (Is) is from the second output terminal (128; 328) of the two output terminals, through the load, to the first output terminal (129; 329), to the startup terminal (111, 314) and into the control terminal of the controllable switching element when the load is coupled to the two output terminals; wherein said coupling diode (202; 325) is adapted for blocking current from the positive voltage bus towards the control terminal of the controllable switching element when the load is not coupled to the two output terminals. an output buffer capacitor (125; 324); two output terminals (128, 129; 328, 329) coupled to the output buffer capacitor (125; 324) for coupling to the load; a coupling diode (202; 325) coupled in forward connection from a first output terminal (129; 329) of the two output terminals to a first terminal of the output buffer capacitor (125; 324); a positive voltage bus (105; 305) coupled to a second output terminal (128, 328) of the two output terminals and to a second terminal of the output buffer capacitor (125; 324) for providing a positive bias voltage to the LED load; and a converter circuit for outputting power through said two output terminals (128, 129; 328, 329) comprising: a startup terminal (111, 314) for receiving a startup current (Is), wherein said startup terminal is coupled to said first output terminal (129; 329); and a controllable switching element, wherein said startup terminal connects to a control terminal of the controllable switching element such that the control terminal of the controllable switching element is in series connection with the two output terminals (128, 129; 328, 329), and said switching element is turned on by the startup current (Is), a startup terminal (111, 314) for receiving a startup current (Is), wherein said startup terminal is coupled to said first output terminal (129; 329); and a controllable switching element, wherein said startup terminal connects to a control terminal of the controllable switching element such that the control terminal of the controllable switching element is in series connection with the two output terminals (128, 129; 328, 329), and said switching element is turned on by the startup current (Is),