diff --git a/qutebrowser/browser/commands.py b/qutebrowser/browser/commands.py
index cb744b23d..5c051a3ff 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/browser/commands.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/browser/commands.py
@@ -862,6 +862,7 @@ class CommandDispatcher:
         else:  # pragma: no cover
             raise ValueError("Invalid value {!r} for `what'.".format(what))
 
+        self.yank_object['what'] = what
         self._yank_to_target(s)
 
     def _yank_callback(self, s):