diff --git a/python/plugins/fTools/tools/doValidate.py b/python/plugins/fTools/tools/doValidate.py
index dfc8ba9412b..2f34f07cb01 100644
--- a/python/plugins/fTools/tools/doValidate.py
+++ b/python/plugins/fTools/tools/doValidate.py
@@ -156,12 +156,11 @@ class validateThread( QThread ):
     else:
       #layer = vlayer # requires SIP >= 4.9
       layer = []
-      layer.select([]) # select all features, and ignore attributes
+      vlayer.select([]) # select all features, and ignore attributes
       ft = QgsFeature()
-      while vlayer.nextFeature(ft)
-        layer.append(ft)
-        ft = QgsFeature()
-      nFeat = layer.featureCount()
+      while vlayer.nextFeature(ft):
+        layer.append(QgsFeature(ft))
+      nFeat = len(layer)
     nElement = 0
     if nFeat > 0:
       self.emit( SIGNAL( "runStatus(PyQt_PyObject)" ), 0 )