Drug delivery device adapted to receive a drug cartridge, comprising a cartridge holder, an expelling assembly with a piston rod and a coupling. The device further comprises user operated actuation means actuatable from a loading state to an intermediate state, and from the intermediate state to an operational state, wherein the cartridge holder is actuated from a receiving state to a holding state when the actuation means is actuated from the loading state to the intermediate state, and the coupling is actuated from a free resetting state to a locked operational state when the actuation means is actuated from the intermediate state to the operational state.