diff --git a/qt/aqt/browser/find_and_replace.py b/qt/aqt/browser/find_and_replace.py
index c82db8aa6..d6d111f58 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/browser/find_and_replace.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/browser/find_and_replace.py
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ from typing import List, Sequence
 import aqt
 from anki.notes import NoteId
 from aqt import AnkiQt
+from aqt.operations import QueryOp
 from aqt.operations.note import find_and_replace
 from aqt.operations.tag import find_and_replace_tag
 from aqt.qt import *
@@ -40,10 +41,11 @@ class FindAndReplaceDialog(QDialog):
         self.field_names: List[str] = []
 
         # fetch field names and then show
-        mw.query_op(
-            lambda: mw.col.field_names_for_note_ids(note_ids),
+        QueryOp(
+            parent=mw,
+            op=lambda col: col.field_names_for_note_ids(note_ids),
             success=self._show,
-        )
+        ).run_in_background()
 
     def _show(self, field_names: Sequence[str]) -> None:
         # add "all fields" and "tags" to the top of the list
diff --git a/qt/aqt/browser/sidebar/tree.py b/qt/aqt/browser/sidebar/tree.py
index a56588c2f..407faadef 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/browser/sidebar/tree.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/browser/sidebar/tree.py
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ from aqt.browser.sidebar.searchbar import SidebarSearchBar
 from aqt.browser.sidebar.toolbar import SidebarTool, SidebarToolbar
 from aqt.clayout import CardLayout
 from aqt.models import Models
+from aqt.operations import QueryOp
 from aqt.operations.deck import (
     remove_decks,
     rename_deck,
@@ -163,7 +164,9 @@ class SidebarTreeView(QTreeView):
             # needs to be set after changing model
             qconnect(self.selectionModel().selectionChanged, self._on_selection_changed)
 
-        self.mw.query_op(self._root_tree, success=on_done)
+        QueryOp(
+            parent=self.browser, op=lambda _: self._root_tree(), success=on_done
+        ).run_in_background()
 
     def restore_current(self, current: SidebarItem) -> None:
         if current := self.find_item(current.has_same_id):
@@ -892,7 +895,11 @@ class SidebarTreeView(QTreeView):
                 new_name=full_name,
             ).run_in_background()
 
-        self.mw.query_op(lambda: self.mw.col.get_deck(deck_id), success=after_fetch)
+        QueryOp(
+            parent=self.browser,
+            op=lambda col: col.get_deck(deck_id),
+            success=after_fetch,
+        ).run_in_background()
 
     def delete_decks(self, _item: SidebarItem) -> None:
         remove_decks(parent=self, deck_ids=self._selected_decks()).run_in_background()
diff --git a/qt/aqt/deckbrowser.py b/qt/aqt/deckbrowser.py
index bebcbd6b6..e59f1d450 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/deckbrowser.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/deckbrowser.py
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ from anki.collection import OpChanges
 from anki.decks import Deck, DeckCollapseScope, DeckId, DeckTreeNode
 from anki.utils import intTime
 from aqt import AnkiQt, gui_hooks
+from aqt.operations import QueryOp
 from aqt.operations.deck import (
     add_deck_dialog,
     remove_decks,
@@ -284,7 +285,9 @@ class DeckBrowser:
                     parent=self.mw, deck_id=did, new_name=new_name
                 ).run_in_background()
 
-        self.mw.query_op(lambda: self.mw.col.get_deck(did), success=prompt)
+        QueryOp(
+            parent=self.mw, op=lambda col: col.get_deck(did), success=prompt
+        ).run_in_background()
 
     def _options(self, did: DeckId) -> None:
         # select the deck first, because the dyn deck conf assumes the deck
diff --git a/qt/aqt/deckdescription.py b/qt/aqt/deckdescription.py
index 2209c3215..f9dd789fb 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/deckdescription.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/deckdescription.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 
 import aqt
 from anki.decks import Deck
+from aqt.operations import QueryOp
 from aqt.operations.deck import update_deck
 from aqt.qt import *
 from aqt.utils import addCloseShortcut, disable_help_button, restoreGeom, saveGeom, tr
@@ -22,7 +23,11 @@ class DeckDescriptionDialog(QDialog):
         # set on success
         self.deck: Deck
 
-        mw.query_op(mw.col.decks.get_current, success=self._setup_and_show)
+        QueryOp(
+            parent=self.mw,
+            op=lambda col: col.decks.get_current(),
+            success=self._setup_and_show,
+        ).run_in_background()
 
     def _setup_and_show(self, deck: Deck) -> None:
         if deck.WhichOneof("kind") != "normal":
diff --git a/qt/aqt/editor.py b/qt/aqt/editor.py
index 3ce48651f..e7b4cf254 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/editor.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/editor.py
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ from anki.httpclient import HttpClient
 from anki.notes import DuplicateOrEmptyResult, Note
 from anki.utils import checksum, isLin, isWin, namedtmp
 from aqt import AnkiQt, colors, gui_hooks
+from aqt.operations import QueryOp
 from aqt.operations.note import update_note
 from aqt.qt import *
 from aqt.sound import av_player
@@ -496,7 +497,11 @@ $editorToolbar.then(({{ toolbar }}) => toolbar.appendGroup({{
                 return
             self._update_duplicate_display(result)
 
-        self.mw.query_op(self.note.duplicate_or_empty, success=on_done)
+        QueryOp(
+            parent=self.parentWindow,
+            op=lambda _: self.note.duplicate_or_empty(),
+            success=on_done,
+        ).run_in_background()
 
     checkValid = _check_and_update_duplicate_display_async
 
diff --git a/qt/aqt/filtered_deck.py b/qt/aqt/filtered_deck.py
index 25af48f80..bdb29a9a7 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/filtered_deck.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/filtered_deck.py
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ from anki.errors import SearchError
 from anki.lang import without_unicode_isolation
 from anki.scheduler import FilteredDeckForUpdate
 from aqt import AnkiQt, colors, gui_hooks
+from aqt.operations import QueryOp
 from aqt.operations.scheduling import add_or_update_filtered_deck
 from aqt.qt import *
 from aqt.theme import theme_manager
@@ -56,11 +57,11 @@ class FilteredDeckConfigDialog(QDialog):
         # set on successful query
         self.deck: FilteredDeckForUpdate
 
-        mw.query_op(
-            lambda: mw.col.sched.get_or_create_filtered_deck(deck_id=deck_id),
+        QueryOp(
+            parent=self.mw,
+            op=lambda col: col.sched.get_or_create_filtered_deck(deck_id=deck_id),
             success=self.load_deck_and_show,
-            failure=self.on_fetch_error,
-        )
+        ).failure(self.on_fetch_error).run_in_background()
 
     def on_fetch_error(self, exc: Exception) -> None:
         showWarning(str(exc))
diff --git a/qt/aqt/main.py b/qt/aqt/main.py
index 256640528..c9a6600b3 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/main.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/main.py
@@ -695,47 +695,6 @@ class AnkiQt(QMainWindow):
     # Resetting state
     ##########################################################################
 
-    def query_op(
-        self,
-        op: Callable[[], T],
-        *,
-        success: Callable[[T], Any] = None,
-        failure: Optional[Callable[[Exception], Any]] = None,
-    ) -> None:
-        """Run an operation that queries the DB on a background thread.
-
-        Intended to be used for operations that do not change collection
-        state. Undo status will not be changed, and `operation_did_execute`
-        will not fire. No progress window will be shown either.
-
-        `operations_will|did_execute` will still fire, so the UI can defer
-        updates during a background task.
-        """
-
-        def wrapped_done(future: Future) -> None:
-            self._decrease_background_ops()
-            # did something go wrong?
-            if exception := future.exception():
-                if isinstance(exception, Exception):
-                    if failure:
-                        failure(exception)
-                    else:
-                        showWarning(str(exception))
-                    return
-                else:
-                    # BaseException like SystemExit; rethrow it
-                    future.result()
-
-            result = future.result()
-            if success:
-                success(result)
-
-        self._increase_background_ops()
-        self.taskman.run_in_background(op, wrapped_done)
-
-    # Resetting state
-    ##########################################################################
-
     def _increase_background_ops(self) -> None:
         if not self._background_op_count:
             gui_hooks.backend_will_block()
diff --git a/qt/aqt/models.py b/qt/aqt/models.py
index b329b9c1d..79cdd2003 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/models.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/models.py
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ from anki.lang import without_unicode_isolation
 from anki.models import NotetypeDict, NotetypeId, NotetypeNameIdUseCount
 from anki.notes import Note
 from aqt import AnkiQt, gui_hooks
+from aqt.operations import QueryOp
 from aqt.operations.notetype import (
     add_notetype_legacy,
     remove_notetype,
@@ -107,10 +108,11 @@ class Models(QDialog):
         maybeHideClose(box)
 
     def refresh_list(self, *ignored_args: Any) -> None:
-        self.mw.query_op(
-            self.col.models.all_use_counts,
+        QueryOp(
+            parent=self,
+            op=lambda col: col.models.all_use_counts(),
             success=self.updateModelsList,
-        )
+        ).run_in_background()
 
     def onRename(self) -> None:
         nt = self.current_notetype()
diff --git a/qt/aqt/operations/__init__.py b/qt/aqt/operations/__init__.py
index f416f1075..2d1e9921c 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/operations/__init__.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/operations/__init__.py
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ class CollectionOp(Generic[ResultWithChanges]):
     """
 
     _success: Optional[Callable[[ResultWithChanges], Any]] = None
-    _failure: Optional[Optional[Callable[[Exception], Any]]] = None
+    _failure: Optional[Callable[[Exception], Any]] = None
 
     def __init__(self, parent: QWidget, op: Callable[[Collection], ResultWithChanges]):
         self._parent = parent
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ class CollectionOp(Generic[ResultWithChanges]):
         return self
 
     def failure(
-        self, failure: Optional[Optional[Callable[[Exception], Any]]]
+        self, failure: Optional[Callable[[Exception], Any]]
     ) -> CollectionOp[ResultWithChanges]:
         self._failure = failure
         return self
@@ -140,3 +140,87 @@ class CollectionOp(Generic[ResultWithChanges]):
         # fire legacy hook so old code notices changes
         if mw.col.op_made_changes(changes):
             aqt.gui_hooks.state_did_reset()
+
+
+T = TypeVar("T")
+
+
+class QueryOp(Generic[T]):
+    """Helper to perform a non-mutating DB query on a background thread.
+
+    - Optionally shows progress popup for the duration of the op.
+    - Ensures the browser doesn't try to redraw during the operation, which can lead
+    to a frozen UI
+
+    Be careful not to call any UI routines in `op`, as that may crash Qt.
+    This includes things select .selectedCards() in the browse screen.
+
+    `success` will be called with the return value of op().
+
+    If op() throws an exception, it will be shown in a popup, or
+    passed to `failure` if it is provided.
+    """
+
+    _failure: Optional[Callable[[Exception], Any]] = None
+    _progress: Union[bool, str] = False
+
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        *,
+        parent: QWidget,
+        op: Callable[[Collection], T],
+        success: Callable[[T], Any],
+    ):
+        self._parent = parent
+        self._op = op
+        self._success = success
+
+    def failure(self, failure: Optional[Callable[[Exception], Any]]) -> QueryOp[T]:
+        self._failure = failure
+        return self
+
+    def with_progress(self, label: Optional[str] = None) -> QueryOp[T]:
+        self._progress = label or True
+        return self
+
+    def run_in_background(self) -> None:
+        from aqt import mw
+
+        assert mw
+
+        mw._increase_background_ops()
+
+        def wrapped_op() -> T:
+            assert mw
+            if self._progress:
+                label: Optional[str]
+                if isinstance(self._progress, str):
+                    label = self._progress
+                else:
+                    label = None
+                mw.progress.start(label=label)
+            return self._op(mw.col)
+
+        def wrapped_done(future: Future) -> None:
+            assert mw
+            mw._decrease_background_ops()
+            # did something go wrong?
+            if exception := future.exception():
+                if isinstance(exception, Exception):
+                    if self._failure:
+                        self._failure(exception)
+                    else:
+                        showWarning(str(exception), self._parent)
+                    return
+                else:
+                    # BaseException like SystemExit; rethrow it
+                    future.result()
+
+            result = future.result()
+            try:
+                self._success(result)
+            finally:
+                if self._progress:
+                    mw.progress.finish()
+
+        mw.taskman.run_in_background(wrapped_op, wrapped_done)