diff --git a/src/plugins/help/helpplugin.cpp b/src/plugins/help/helpplugin.cpp
index 28bdc2f2db4..1e012d6146d 100644
--- a/src/plugins/help/helpplugin.cpp
+++ b/src/plugins/help/helpplugin.cpp
@@ -897,8 +897,7 @@ void HelpPlugin::handleHelpRequest(const QUrl &url)
         if (HelpViewer* viewer = viewerForContextMode())
             viewer->setSource(newUrl);
     } else {
-        activateHelpMode();
-        m_centralWidget->setSource(newUrl);
+        switchToHelpMode(newUrl);
     }
 }