diff --git a/kate/katequickopen.cpp b/kate/katequickopen.cpp
--- a/kate/katequickopen.cpp
+++ b/kate/katequickopen.cpp
@@ -146,8 +146,11 @@
 {
     /**
      * new base mode creation
+     * remove from proxy model before populating to avoid wasting time
+     * with repeatedly sorting it
      */
     m_base_model->clear();
+    m_model->setSourceModel(nullptr);
 
     /**
      * remember local file names to avoid dupes with project files
@@ -267,6 +270,8 @@
         reselectFirst();
     }
 
+    m_model->setSourceModel(m_base_model);
+
     /**
      * adjust view
      */