diff --git a/kate/part/spellcheck/ontheflycheck.cpp b/kate/part/spellcheck/ontheflycheck.cpp
index 89fdfbd0..164e8efe 100644
--- a/kate/part/spellcheck/ontheflycheck.cpp
+++ b/kate/part/spellcheck/ontheflycheck.cpp
@@ -402,7 +402,8 @@ void KateOnTheFlyChecker::performSpellCheck()
     updateConfig();
   }
   m_speller->setDictionary(language);
-  m_speller->setText(text); // don't call 'start()' after this!
+  m_speller->setText(text);
+  m_speller->start();
 }
 
 void KateOnTheFlyChecker::removeRangeFromEverything(KTextEditor::MovingRange *movingRange)