diff --git a/spyder/widgets/ipythonconsole/shell.py b/spyder/widgets/ipythonconsole/shell.py
index 869b2afdbf6..7e9b6d88892 100644
--- a/spyder/widgets/ipythonconsole/shell.py
+++ b/spyder/widgets/ipythonconsole/shell.py
@@ -410,11 +410,7 @@ def _handle_error(self, msg):
         """
         Reimplemented to reset the prompt if the error comes after the reply
         """
-        # In pyqt4, if super does not has _handle_error, disregard the error
-        if PYQT4:
-            if not hasattr(super(ShellWidget, self), '_handle_error'):
-                return
-        super(ShellWidget, self)._handle_error(msg)
+        self._process_execute_error(msg)
         self._show_interpreter_prompt()
 
     def _context_menu_make(self, pos):