diff --git a/qutebrowser/completion/completiondelegate.py b/qutebrowser/completion/completiondelegate.py
index 167cdb6b8..ab7b3ad88 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/completion/completiondelegate.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/completion/completiondelegate.py
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ class CompletionItemDelegate(QStyledItemDelegate):
             columns_to_filter = index.model().srcmodel.columns_to_filter
             if index.column() in columns_to_filter and pattern:
                 repl = r'<span class="highlight">\g<0></span>'
-                text = re.sub(re.escape(pattern).replace(r'\ ', r'.*'),
+                text = re.sub(re.escape(pattern).replace(r'\ ', r'|'),
                               repl, self._opt.text, flags=re.IGNORECASE)
                 self._doc.setHtml(text)
             else:
diff --git a/qutebrowser/completion/models/base.py b/qutebrowser/completion/models/base.py
index 5f33eaaa5..88b06a4e0 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/completion/models/base.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/completion/models/base.py
@@ -128,20 +128,3 @@ class BaseCompletionModel(QStandardItemModel):
         else:
             # category
             return Qt.NoItemFlags
-
-    def sort(self, column, order=Qt.AscendingOrder):
-        """Sort the data in column according to order.
-
-        Override QAbstractItemModel::sort.
-        """
-        raise NotImplementedError
-
-    def custom_filter(self, pattern, row, parent):
-        """Custom filter.
-
-        Args:
-            pattern: The current filter pattern.
-            row: The row to accept or reject in the filter.
-            parent: The parent item QModelIndex.
-        """
-        raise NotImplementedError
diff --git a/qutebrowser/completion/models/sortfilter.py b/qutebrowser/completion/models/sortfilter.py
index ab0a60242..ffa44b82e 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/completion/models/sortfilter.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/completion/models/sortfilter.py
@@ -63,9 +63,6 @@ class CompletionFilterModel(QSortFilterProxyModel):
 
         Invalidates the filter and re-sorts the model.
 
-        If the current completion model overrides sort(), it is used.
-        If not, the default implementation in QCompletionFilterModel is called.
-
         Args:
             val: The value to set.
         """
@@ -74,13 +71,9 @@ class CompletionFilterModel(QSortFilterProxyModel):
             val = re.escape(val)
             val = val.replace(r'\ ', r'.*')
             self.pattern_re = re.compile(val, re.IGNORECASE)
-            self.invalidateFilter()
-            sortcol = 0
-            try:
-                self.srcmodel.sort(sortcol)
-            except NotImplementedError:
-                self.sort(sortcol)
             self.invalidate()
+            sortcol = 0
+            self.sort(sortcol)
 
     def count(self):
         """Get the count of non-toplevel items currently visible.
@@ -140,20 +133,17 @@ class CompletionFilterModel(QSortFilterProxyModel):
         if parent == QModelIndex() or not self.pattern:
             return True
 
-        try:
-            return self.srcmodel.custom_filter(self.pattern, row, parent)
-        except NotImplementedError:
-            for col in self.srcmodel.columns_to_filter:
-                idx = self.srcmodel.index(row, col, parent)
-                if not idx.isValid():
-                    # No entries in parent model
-                    continue
-                data = self.srcmodel.data(idx)
-                if not data:
-                    continue
-                elif self.pattern_re.search(data):
-                    return True
-            return False
+        for col in self.srcmodel.columns_to_filter:
+            idx = self.srcmodel.index(row, col, parent)
+            if not idx.isValid():
+                # No entries in parent model
+                continue
+            data = self.srcmodel.data(idx)
+            if not data:
+                continue
+            elif self.pattern_re.search(data):
+                return True
+        return False
 
     def intelligentLessThan(self, lindex, rindex):
         """Custom sorting implementation.