diff --git a/qutebrowser/browser/webelem.py b/qutebrowser/browser/webelem.py
index 02521f3a4..85594ce43 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/browser/webelem.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/browser/webelem.py
@@ -403,7 +403,12 @@ class AbstractWebElement(collections.abc.MutableMapping):
 
         href_tags = ['a', 'area', 'link']
         if click_target == usertypes.ClickTarget.normal:
-            if self.tag_name() in href_tags and self.get('target') != '_blank':
+            if self.tag_name() in href_tags and self.get('target') == '_blank':
+                log.webelem.debug("target _blank -> Clicking via href")
+                # FIXME:qtwebengine Should we use tab_bg here with
+                # background-tabs set?
+                self._click_href(usertypes.ClickTarget.tab)
+            elif self.tag_name() in href_tags:
                 log.webelem.debug("Clicking via JS click()")
                 self._click_js(click_target)
             elif self.is_editable(strict=True):
diff --git a/tests/end2end/features/hints.feature b/tests/end2end/features/hints.feature
index 5425cecb6..bb81bc7cb 100644
--- a/tests/end2end/features/hints.feature
+++ b/tests/end2end/features/hints.feature
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@ Feature: Using hints
         Then the following tabs should be open:
             - data/hello.txt (active)
 
-    @qtwebengine_skip: Opens in background
     Scenario: Following a hint and allow to open in new tab.
         When I open data/hints/link_blank.html
         And I hint with args "links normal" and follow a