diff --git a/qutebrowser/browser/browsertab.py b/qutebrowser/browser/browsertab.py
index 2a9662eef..4d4f6380a 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/browser/browsertab.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/browser/browsertab.py
@@ -847,7 +847,14 @@ class AbstractTab(QWidget):
         if predict:
             self.predicted_navigation.emit(url)
 
-    def openurl(self, url, *, predict=True):
+    def openurl(self, url, *, predict=True, background=False):
+        """Open the given URL in this tab.
+
+        Arguments:
+            url: The QUrl to open.
+            predict: If set to False, predicted_navigation is not emitted.
+            background: Whether the tab is being opened in the background.
+        """
         raise NotImplementedError
 
     def reload(self, *, force=False):
diff --git a/qutebrowser/browser/webengine/webenginetab.py b/qutebrowser/browser/webengine/webenginetab.py
index fb04dc120..f0e2b85b6 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/browser/webengine/webenginetab.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/browser/webengine/webenginetab.py
@@ -782,15 +782,10 @@ class WebEngineTab(browsertab.AbstractTab):
         self.zoom.set_factor(self._saved_zoom)
         self._saved_zoom = None
 
-    def openurl(self, url, *, predict=True):
-        """Open the given URL in this tab.
-
-        Arguments:
-            url: The QUrl to open.
-            predict: If set to False, predicted_navigation is not emitted.
-        """
+    def openurl(self, url, *, predict=True, background=False):
         # WORKAROUND for https://bugreports.qt.io/browse/QTBUG-68076
-        self._widget.setFocus()
+        if not background:
+            self._widget.setFocus()
         self._saved_zoom = self.zoom.factor()
         self._openurl_prepare(url, predict=predict)
         self._widget.load(url)
diff --git a/qutebrowser/browser/webkit/webkittab.py b/qutebrowser/browser/webkit/webkittab.py
index 9d5305f10..352372ba4 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/browser/webkit/webkittab.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/browser/webkit/webkittab.py
@@ -673,9 +673,11 @@ class WebKitTab(browsertab.AbstractTab):
         settings = widget.settings()
         settings.setAttribute(QWebSettings.PrivateBrowsingEnabled, True)
 
-    def openurl(self, url, *, predict=True):
+    # pylint: disable=unused-argument
+    def openurl(self, url, *, predict=True, background=False):
         self._openurl_prepare(url, predict=predict)
         self._widget.openurl(url)
+    # pylint: enable=unused-argument
 
     def url(self, requested=False):
         frame = self._widget.page().mainFrame()
diff --git a/qutebrowser/mainwindow/tabbedbrowser.py b/qutebrowser/mainwindow/tabbedbrowser.py
index c473f914d..0f9efc014 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/mainwindow/tabbedbrowser.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/mainwindow/tabbedbrowser.py
@@ -477,11 +477,12 @@ class TabbedBrowser(QWidget):
             idx = self._get_new_tab_idx(related)
         self.widget.insertTab(idx, tab, "")
 
-        if url is not None:
-            tab.openurl(url)
-
         if background is None:
             background = config.val.tabs.background
+
+        if url is not None:
+            tab.openurl(url, background=background)
+
         if background:
             # Make sure the background tab has the correct initial size.
             # With a foreground tab, it's going to be resized correctly by the