diff --git a/qutebrowser/browser/webengine/webenginetab.py b/qutebrowser/browser/webengine/webenginetab.py
index 122c4e51e..f8ad7e2cc 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/browser/webengine/webenginetab.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/browser/webengine/webenginetab.py
@@ -824,8 +824,7 @@ class WebEngineTab(browsertab.AbstractTab):
             # https://bugreports.qt.io/browse/QTBUG-61506
             self.search.clear()
         super()._on_load_started()
-        if self.data.netrc_used:
-            self.data.netrc_used = False
+        self.data.netrc_used = False
 
     @pyqtSlot(QWebEnginePage.RenderProcessTerminationStatus, int)
     def _on_render_process_terminated(self, status, exitcode):
diff --git a/qutebrowser/browser/webkit/network/networkmanager.py b/qutebrowser/browser/webkit/network/networkmanager.py
index 50fb53b35..8ad486d29 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/browser/webkit/network/networkmanager.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/browser/webkit/network/networkmanager.py
@@ -270,11 +270,12 @@ class NetworkManager(QNetworkAccessManager):
     @pyqtSlot('QNetworkReply*', 'QAuthenticator*')
     def on_authentication_required(self, reply, authenticator):
         """Called when a website needs authentication."""
-        netrc = False
+        netrc_success = False
         if not self.netrc_used:
             self.netrc_used = True
-            netrc = shared.netrc_authentication(reply.url(), authenticator)
-        if not netrc:
+            netrc_success = shared.netrc_authentication(reply.url(),
+                                                        authenticator)
+        if not netrc_success:
             abort_on = self._get_abort_signals(reply)
             shared.authentication_required(reply.url(), authenticator,
                                            abort_on=abort_on)
diff --git a/qutebrowser/browser/webkit/webkittab.py b/qutebrowser/browser/webkit/webkittab.py
index 9c4d2bf66..9395630db 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/browser/webkit/webkittab.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/browser/webkit/webkittab.py
@@ -729,9 +729,7 @@ class WebKitTab(browsertab.AbstractTab):
     @pyqtSlot()
     def _on_load_started(self):
         super()._on_load_started()
-        nam = self.networkaccessmanager()
-        if nam.netrc_used:
-            nam.netrc_used = False
+        self.networkaccessmanager().netrc_used = False
 
     @pyqtSlot()
     def _on_frame_load_finished(self):