diff --git a/src/kcmoduleqml.cpp b/src/kcmoduleqml.cpp
--- a/src/kcmoduleqml.cpp
+++ b/src/kcmoduleqml.cpp
@@ -83,6 +83,11 @@
     connect(d->configModule.get(), &KQuickAddons::ConfigModule::needsSaveChanged, this, [=] {
         emit changed(d->configModule->needsSave());
     });
+
+    // changed is also manipulated externally by KCModule, we need to keep the Quick implementation in sync
+    // TODO KF6 remove the differed "emit changed" in KConfigModule and then we can remove this here
+    connect(this, &KCModule::changed, d->configModule.get(), &KQuickAddons::ConfigModule::setNeedsSave);
+
     connect(d->configModule.get(), &KQuickAddons::ConfigModule::representsDefaultsChanged, this, [=] {
         emit defaulted(d->configModule->representsDefaults());
     });