diff --git a/gui/qt/main_window.py b/gui/qt/main_window.py
index d71418dda..540f4fc88 100644
--- a/gui/qt/main_window.py
+++ b/gui/qt/main_window.py
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import sys, time, threading
 import os.path, json, traceback
 import shutil
 import socket
+import weakref
 import webbrowser
 import csv
 from decimal import Decimal
@@ -144,14 +145,15 @@ class ElectrumWindow(QMainWindow, PrintError):
         self.setWindowIcon(QIcon(":icons/electrum.png"))
         self.init_menubar()
 
+        wrtabs = weakref.proxy(tabs)
         QShortcut(QKeySequence("Ctrl+W"), self, self.close)
         QShortcut(QKeySequence("Ctrl+Q"), self, self.close)
         QShortcut(QKeySequence("Ctrl+R"), self, self.update_wallet)
-        QShortcut(QKeySequence("Ctrl+PgUp"), self, lambda: tabs.setCurrentIndex( (tabs.currentIndex() - 1 )%tabs.count() ))
-        QShortcut(QKeySequence("Ctrl+PgDown"), self, lambda: tabs.setCurrentIndex( (tabs.currentIndex() + 1 )%tabs.count() ))
+        QShortcut(QKeySequence("Ctrl+PgUp"), self, lambda: wrtabs.setCurrentIndex((wrtabs.currentIndex() - 1)%wrtabs.count()))
+        QShortcut(QKeySequence("Ctrl+PgDown"), self, lambda: wrtabs.setCurrentIndex((wrtabs.currentIndex() + 1)%wrtabs.count()))
 
-        for i in range(tabs.count()):
-            QShortcut(QKeySequence("Alt+" + str(i + 1)), self, lambda i=i: tabs.setCurrentIndex(i))
+        for i in range(wrtabs.count()):
+            QShortcut(QKeySequence("Alt+" + str(i + 1)), self, lambda i=i: wrtabs.setCurrentIndex(i))
 
         self.connect(self, QtCore.SIGNAL('payment_request_ok'), self.payment_request_ok)
         self.connect(self, QtCore.SIGNAL('payment_request_error'), self.payment_request_error)