diff --git a/qutebrowser/browser/webengine/webenginetab.py b/qutebrowser/browser/webengine/webenginetab.py
index a50d8e2a3..cf7dc2d98 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/browser/webengine/webenginetab.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/browser/webengine/webenginetab.py
@@ -741,7 +741,7 @@ class WebEngineTab(browsertab.AbstractTab):
     @pyqtSlot(QUrl, 'QAuthenticator*')
     def _on_authentication_required(self, url, authenticator):
         netrc = None
-        if not self.data.netrc_used and 'HOME' in os.environ:
+        if not self.data.netrc_used:
             self.data.netrc_used = True
             netrc = shared.netrc_authentication(url, authenticator)
         if not netrc:
diff --git a/qutebrowser/browser/webkit/network/networkmanager.py b/qutebrowser/browser/webkit/network/networkmanager.py
index 5e9d6f991..d41bfbd90 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/browser/webkit/network/networkmanager.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/browser/webkit/network/networkmanager.py
@@ -269,8 +269,8 @@ class NetworkManager(QNetworkAccessManager):
     def on_authentication_required(self, reply, authenticator):
         """Called when a website needs authentication."""
         netrc = False
-        if not hasattr(reply, "netrc_used"):
-            setattr(reply, "netrc_used", True)
+        if not self.data.netrc_used:
+            self.data.netrc_used = True
             netrc = shared.netrc_authentication(reply.url(), authenticator)
         if not netrc:
             abort_on = self._get_abort_signals(reply)