diff --git a/spyder/widgets/projects/explorer.py b/spyder/widgets/projects/explorer.py
index 27025a7d44a..2c741bf4854 100644
--- a/spyder/widgets/projects/explorer.py
+++ b/spyder/widgets/projects/explorer.py
@@ -269,7 +269,7 @@ def __init__(self, directory=None):
         vlayout = QVBoxLayout()
         self.setLayout(vlayout)
 
-        self.explorer = ProjectExplorerWidget(self, show_all=True)
+        self.explorer = ProjectExplorerWidget(parent=self, show_all=True)
         if directory:
             self.explorer.setup_project(directory)
         else: