diff --git a/qutebrowser/browser/browsertab.py b/qutebrowser/browser/browsertab.py
index ffc6c4db1..5054f384f 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/browser/browsertab.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/browser/browsertab.py
@@ -1044,8 +1044,8 @@ class AbstractTab(QWidget):
     def load_status(self) -> usertypes.LoadStatus:
         return self._load_status
 
-    def _openurl_prepare(self, url: QUrl, *,
-                         emit_before_load_started: bool = True) -> None:
+    def _load_url_prepare(self, url: QUrl, *,
+                          emit_before_load_started: bool = True) -> None:
         qtutils.ensure_valid(url)
         if emit_before_load_started:
             self.before_load_started.emit(url)
diff --git a/qutebrowser/browser/webengine/webenginetab.py b/qutebrowser/browser/webengine/webenginetab.py
index 98e3c1402..053c6f50e 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/browser/webengine/webenginetab.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/browser/webengine/webenginetab.py
@@ -1146,7 +1146,7 @@ class WebEngineTab(browsertab.AbstractTab):
             # https://github.com/qutebrowser/qutebrowser/issues/3896
             return
         self._saved_zoom = self.zoom.factor()
-        self._openurl_prepare(
+        self._load_url_prepare(
             url, emit_before_load_started=emit_before_load_started)
         self._widget.load(url)
 
diff --git a/qutebrowser/browser/webkit/webkittab.py b/qutebrowser/browser/webkit/webkittab.py
index 3c853814a..a934f600d 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/browser/webkit/webkittab.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/browser/webkit/webkittab.py
@@ -723,7 +723,7 @@ class WebKitTab(browsertab.AbstractTab):
         settings.setAttribute(QWebSettings.PrivateBrowsingEnabled, True)
 
     def load_url(self, url, *, emit_before_load_started=True):
-        self._openurl_prepare(
+        self._load_url_prepare(
             url, emit_before_load_started=emit_before_load_started)
         self._widget.load(url)