diff --git a/src/plugins/debugger/debuggerengine.h b/src/plugins/debugger/debuggerengine.h
index 9c1cd94588b..6e0ed670f51 100644
--- a/src/plugins/debugger/debuggerengine.h
+++ b/src/plugins/debugger/debuggerengine.h
@@ -247,6 +247,8 @@ public:
     virtual bool setupQmlStep(bool /*on*/) { return false; }
     virtual void readyToExecuteQmlStep() {}
 
+    virtual bool canDisplayTooltip() const { return state() == InferiorStopOk; }
+
 signals:
     void stateChanged(const DebuggerState &state);
     void updateViewsRequested();
diff --git a/src/plugins/debugger/debuggerplugin.cpp b/src/plugins/debugger/debuggerplugin.cpp
index a83815a9b4f..1ca9530f2f5 100644
--- a/src/plugins/debugger/debuggerplugin.cpp
+++ b/src/plugins/debugger/debuggerplugin.cpp
@@ -1928,7 +1928,7 @@ void DebuggerPluginPrivate::showToolTip(ITextEditor *editor,
         return;
     if (!currentEngine())
         return;
-    if (currentEngine()->state() != InferiorStopOk)
+    if (!currentEngine()->canDisplayTooltip())
         return;
     QTC_ASSERT(handled, return);
     *handled = true;
diff --git a/src/plugins/debugger/qml/qmlengine.cpp b/src/plugins/debugger/qml/qmlengine.cpp
index f4ba5b48183..509e9bd184e 100644
--- a/src/plugins/debugger/qml/qmlengine.cpp
+++ b/src/plugins/debugger/qml/qmlengine.cpp
@@ -263,6 +263,11 @@ void QmlEngine::pauseConnection()
     d->m_adapter.pauseConnection();
 }
 
+bool QmlEngine::canDisplayTooltip() const
+{
+    return state() == InferiorRunOk || state() == InferiorStopOk;
+}
+
 void QmlEngine::closeConnection()
 {
     ExtensionSystem::PluginManager *pluginManager =
diff --git a/src/plugins/debugger/qml/qmlengine.h b/src/plugins/debugger/qml/qmlengine.h
index 415d62faf21..4b5cd4832c8 100644
--- a/src/plugins/debugger/qml/qmlengine.h
+++ b/src/plugins/debugger/qml/qmlengine.h
@@ -60,6 +60,7 @@ public:
 
     void gotoLocation(const Location &location);
     void pauseConnection();
+    bool canDisplayTooltip() const;
 
 public slots:
     void messageReceived(const QByteArray &message);