diff --git a/qutebrowser/utils/completion.py b/qutebrowser/utils/completion.py
index 64c6e05bf..bc2139567 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/utils/completion.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/utils/completion.py
@@ -275,7 +275,6 @@ class CompletionFilterModel(QSortFilterProxyModel):
 
     """Subclass of QSortFilterProxyModel with custom sorting/filtering."""
 
-    pattern_changed = pyqtSignal(str)
     _pattern = None
 
     def __init__(self, parent=None):
@@ -291,11 +290,20 @@ class CompletionFilterModel(QSortFilterProxyModel):
     def pattern(self, val):
         """Setter for pattern.
 
-        Invalidates the filter and emits pattern_changed.
+        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.
         """
         self._pattern = val
         self.invalidate()
-        self.pattern_changed.emit(val)
+        sortcol = 0
+        srcmodel = self.sourceModel()
+        if srcmodel is not None:
+            try:
+                srcmodel.sort(sortcol)
+            except NotImplementedError:
+                self.sort(sortcol)
 
     def filterAcceptsRow(self, row, parent):
         """Custom filter implementation.
diff --git a/qutebrowser/widgets/completion.py b/qutebrowser/widgets/completion.py
index 098e89002..27f1a8f92 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/widgets/completion.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/widgets/completion.py
@@ -74,7 +74,6 @@ class CompletionView(QTreeView):
         self.model = CompletionFilterModel()
         self.setModel(self.model)
         self.model.setSourceModel(self.completion_models['command'])
-        self.model.pattern_changed.connect(self.resort)
         self.setItemDelegate(CompletionItemDelegate())
         self.setStyleSheet(config.get_stylesheet(self._stylesheet))
         self.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Fixed, QSizePolicy.Minimum)
@@ -114,18 +113,6 @@ class CompletionView(QTreeView):
         self.model.pattern = ''
         self.expandAll()
 
-    def resort(self, pattern):  # pylint: disable=unused-argument
-        """Sort the available completions.
-
-        If the current completion model overrides sort(), it is used.
-        If not, the default implementation in QCompletionFilterModel is called.
-        """
-        sortcol = 0
-        try:
-            self.model.sourceModel().sort(sortcol)
-        except NotImplementedError:
-            self.model.sort(sortcol)
-
     def resize_to_bar(self, geom):
         """Resize the completion area to the statusbar geometry.