diff --git a/qutebrowser/mainwindow/statusbar/bar.py b/qutebrowser/mainwindow/statusbar/bar.py
index b628a03cc8f..09b7ad8a919 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/mainwindow/statusbar/bar.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/mainwindow/statusbar/bar.py
@@ -272,9 +272,7 @@ def _clear_widgets(self):
                        self.backforward, self.tabindex,
                        self.keystring, self.prog, self.clock, *self._text_widgets]:
             assert isinstance(widget, QWidget)
-            if widget in [self.prog, self.backforward]:
-                widget.enabled = False  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
-            widget.hide()
+            widget.disable()
             self._hbox.removeWidget(widget)
         self._text_widgets.clear()