diff --git a/qutebrowser/browser/tab.py b/qutebrowser/browser/tab.py
index c279632a4..b7dd0c913 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/browser/tab.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/browser/tab.py
@@ -161,10 +161,6 @@ class AbstractZoom(QObject):
         # self.destroyed.connect(functools.partial(
         #     cfg.changed.disconnect, self.init_neighborlist))
 
-    def _set_default_zoom(self):
-        default_zoom = config.get('ui', 'default-zoom')
-        self._set_factor_internal(float(default_zoom) / 100)
-
     @pyqtSlot(str, str)
     def on_config_changed(self, section, option):
         if section == 'ui' and option in ('zoom-levels', 'default-zoom'):
@@ -211,6 +207,10 @@ class AbstractZoom(QObject):
     def factor(self):
         raise NotImplementedError
 
+    def set_default(self):
+        default_zoom = config.get('ui', 'default-zoom')
+        self._set_factor_internal(float(default_zoom) / 100)
+
     @pyqtSlot(QPoint)
     def on_mouse_wheel_zoom(self, delta):
         """Handle zooming via mousewheel requested by the web view."""
diff --git a/qutebrowser/browser/webkit/webkittab.py b/qutebrowser/browser/webkit/webkittab.py
index 91610c5d7..a91aaba48 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/browser/webkit/webkittab.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/browser/webkit/webkittab.py
@@ -459,7 +459,7 @@ class WebViewTab(tabmod.AbstractTab):
         self.search = WebViewSearch(parent=self)
         self._set_widget(widget)
         self._connect_signals()
-        self.zoom._set_default_zoom()  # pylint: disable=protected-access
+        self.zoom.set_default()
         self.backend = tabmod.Backend.QtWebKit
 
     def openurl(self, url):