diff --git a/qutebrowser/browser/browsertab.py b/qutebrowser/browser/browsertab.py
index a1c298282..34a28756e 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/browser/browsertab.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/browser/browsertab.py
@@ -716,7 +716,7 @@ class AbstractTab(QWidget):
         self._set_load_status(usertypes.LoadStatus.loading)
         self.load_started.emit()
 
-    def _handle_auto_insert_mode(self, ok):
+    def handle_auto_insert_mode(self, ok):
         """Handle `input.insert_mode.auto_load` after loading finished."""
         if not config.val.input.insert_mode.auto_load or not ok:
             return
diff --git a/qutebrowser/mainwindow/tabbedbrowser.py b/qutebrowser/mainwindow/tabbedbrowser.py
index 16fb3c924..200107321 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/mainwindow/tabbedbrowser.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/mainwindow/tabbedbrowser.py
@@ -689,7 +689,7 @@ class TabbedBrowser(tabwidget.TabWidget):
         self._update_tab_title(idx)
         if idx == self.currentIndex():
             self._update_window_title()
-            tab._handle_auto_insert_mode(ok)
+            tab.handle_auto_insert_mode(ok)
 
     @pyqtSlot()
     def on_scroll_pos_changed(self):