diff --git a/src/gui/image/qiconloader.cpp b/src/gui/image/qiconloader.cpp
index 603a9d94cd1..629d59d535e 100644
--- a/src/gui/image/qiconloader.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/image/qiconloader.cpp
@@ -137,9 +137,10 @@ void QIconLoader::updateSystemTheme()
 
 void QIconLoader::invalidateKey()
 {
+    // Invalidating the key here will result in QThemeIconEngine
+    // recreating the actual engine the next time the icon is used.
+    // We don't need to clear the QIcon cache itself.
     m_themeKey++;
-
-    QIconPrivate::clearIconCache();
 }
 
 QString QIconLoader::themeName() const