diff --git a/qutebrowser/mainwindow/tabwidget.py b/qutebrowser/mainwindow/tabwidget.py
index 537ff5ea4..58ccc470b 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/mainwindow/tabwidget.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/mainwindow/tabwidget.py
@@ -66,6 +66,9 @@ class TabWidget(QTabWidget):
     @config.change_filter('tabs')
     def init_config(self):
         """Initialize attributes based on the config."""
+        if self is None:  # pragma: no cover
+            # WORKAROUND for PyQt 5.2
+            return
         tabbar = self.tabBar()
         self.setMovable(config.get('tabs', 'movable'))
         self.setTabsClosable(False)