diff --git a/aqt/qt.py b/aqt/qt.py
index db64f23a2..168c75cc4 100644
--- a/aqt/qt.py
+++ b/aqt/qt.py
@@ -8,6 +8,11 @@ from anki.utils import isWin, isMac
 sip.setapi('QString', 2)
 sip.setapi('QVariant', 2)
 sip.setapi('QUrl', 2)
+try:
+    sip.setdestroyonexit(False)
+except:
+    # missing in older versions
+    pass
 from PyQt4.QtCore import *
 from PyQt4.QtGui import *
 from PyQt4.QtWebKit import QWebPage, QWebView, QWebSettings