diff --git a/qutebrowser/utils/utils.py b/qutebrowser/utils/utils.py
index 0a2fc364a..3e4740c0d 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/utils/utils.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/utils/utils.py
@@ -174,9 +174,9 @@ def interpolate_color(start, end, percent, colorspace=QColor.Rgb):
 
     if colorspace is None:
         if percent == 100:
-            return end
+            return QColor(*end.getRgb())
         else:
-            return start
+            return QColor(*start.getRgb())
 
     out = QColor()
     if colorspace == QColor.Rgb:
diff --git a/tests/unit/utils/test_utils.py b/tests/unit/utils/test_utils.py
index 22a8d59e0..f0ec48531 100644
--- a/tests/unit/utils/test_utils.py
+++ b/tests/unit/utils/test_utils.py
@@ -347,6 +347,7 @@ class TestInterpolateColor:
         """Test an interpolation with a gradient turned off."""
         color = utils.interpolate_color(Color(0, 0, 0), Color(255, 255, 255),
                                         percentage, None)
+        assert isinstance(color, QColor)
         assert Color(color) == Color(*expected)