diff --git a/conf/dlgperformance.cpp b/conf/dlgperformance.cpp
--- a/conf/dlgperformance.cpp
+++ b/conf/dlgperformance.cpp
@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@
 #include <QFont>
 
 #include <KConfigDialogManager>
-#include <KIconLoader>
 
 #include "settings_core.h"
 #include "ui_dlgperformancebase.h"
@@ -29,8 +28,8 @@
     labelFont.setBold( true );
     m_dlg->descLabel->setFont( labelFont );
 
-    m_dlg->cpuLabel->setPixmap( BarIcon( QStringLiteral("cpu"), 32 ) );
-//    m_dlg->memoryLabel->setPixmap( BarIcon( "kcmmemory", 32 ) ); // TODO: enable again when proper icon is available
+    m_dlg->cpuLabel->setPixmap( QIcon::fromTheme( QStringLiteral("cpu") ).pixmap( 32 ) );
+//    m_dlg->memoryLabel->setPixmap( QIcon::fromTheme( "kcmmemory" ).pixmap(  32 ) ); // TODO: enable again when proper icon is available
 
     m_dlg->memoryLevelGroup->setId(m_dlg->lowRadio, 0);
     m_dlg->memoryLevelGroup->setId(m_dlg->normalRadio, 1);
diff --git a/ui/ktreeviewsearchline.cpp b/ui/ktreeviewsearchline.cpp
--- a/ui/ktreeviewsearchline.cpp
+++ b/ui/ktreeviewsearchline.cpp
@@ -34,7 +34,6 @@
 #include <QTreeView>
 
 #include <QDebug>
-#include <kiconloader.h>
 #include <KLocalizedString>
 #include <ktoolbar.h>
 
diff --git a/ui/pageviewutils.cpp b/ui/pageviewutils.cpp
--- a/ui/pageviewutils.cpp
+++ b/ui/pageviewutils.cpp
@@ -27,7 +27,6 @@
 #include <kacceleratormanager.h>
 #include <kactioncollection.h>
 #include <kcolorscheme.h>
-#include <kiconloader.h>
 #include <KLocalizedString>
 
 // system includes
@@ -258,24 +257,25 @@
 
     // load icon (if set)
     m_symbol = QPixmap();
+    const auto symbolSize = style()->pixelMetric(QStyle::PM_SmallIconSize);
     if ( icon != None )
     {
         switch ( icon )
         {
             case Annotation:
-                m_symbol = SmallIcon( QStringLiteral("draw-freehand") );
+                m_symbol = QIcon::fromTheme( QStringLiteral("draw-freehand") ).pixmap( symbolSize );
                 break;
             case Find:
-                m_symbol = SmallIcon( QStringLiteral("zoom-original") );
+                m_symbol = QIcon::fromTheme( QStringLiteral("zoom-original") ).pixmap( symbolSize );
                 break;
             case Error:
-                m_symbol = SmallIcon( QStringLiteral("dialog-error") );
+                m_symbol = QIcon::fromTheme( QStringLiteral("dialog-error") ).pixmap( symbolSize );
                 break;
             case Warning:
-                m_symbol = SmallIcon( QStringLiteral("dialog-warning") );
+                m_symbol = QIcon::fromTheme( QStringLiteral("dialog-warning") ).pixmap( symbolSize );
                 break;
             default:
-                m_symbol = SmallIcon( QStringLiteral("dialog-information") );
+                m_symbol = QIcon::fromTheme( QStringLiteral("dialog-information") ).pixmap( symbolSize );
                 break;
         }
 
diff --git a/ui/presentationwidget.cpp b/ui/presentationwidget.cpp
--- a/ui/presentationwidget.cpp
+++ b/ui/presentationwidget.cpp
@@ -37,7 +37,6 @@
 #include <kactioncollection.h>
 #include <klineedit.h>
 #include <KLocalizedString>
-#include <kiconloader.h>
 #include <kmessagebox.h>
 #include <kselectaction.h>
 #include <QDialog>
@@ -1147,7 +1146,7 @@
     }
 
     // draw okular logo in the four corners
-    QPixmap logo = DesktopIcon( QStringLiteral("okular"), 64 * dpr );
+    QPixmap logo = QIcon::fromTheme( QStringLiteral("okular") ).pixmap( 64 * dpr );
     logo.setDevicePixelRatio( dpr );
     if ( !logo.isNull() )
     {
diff --git a/ui/thumbnaillist.cpp b/ui/thumbnaillist.cpp
--- a/ui/thumbnaillist.cpp
+++ b/ui/thumbnaillist.cpp
@@ -22,7 +22,6 @@
 #include <QTimer>
 
 #include <KLocalizedString>
-#include <KIconLoader>
 #include <KActionCollection>
 
 // local includes
@@ -640,7 +639,7 @@
     delete m_bookmarkOverlay;
     const int expectedWidth = q->viewport()->width() / 4;
     if ( expectedWidth > 10 )
-        m_bookmarkOverlay = new QPixmap( DesktopIcon( QStringLiteral("bookmarks"), expectedWidth ) );
+        m_bookmarkOverlay = new QPixmap( QIcon::fromTheme( QStringLiteral("bookmarks") ).pixmap( expectedWidth ) );
     else
         m_bookmarkOverlay = nullptr;