diff --git a/qutebrowser/browser/qtnetworkdownloads.py b/qutebrowser/browser/qtnetworkdownloads.py
index 82996a803..4e992b172 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/browser/qtnetworkdownloads.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/browser/qtnetworkdownloads.py
@@ -162,6 +162,7 @@ class DownloadItem(downloads.AbstractDownloadItem):
             QTimer.singleShot(0, lambda: self._die(reply.errorString()))
 
     def _do_cancel(self):
+        self._read_timer.stop()
         if self._reply is not None:
             self._reply.finished.disconnect(self._on_reply_finished)
             self._reply.abort()