diff --git a/pyqtgraph/graphicsItems/ViewBox/ViewBox.py b/pyqtgraph/graphicsItems/ViewBox/ViewBox.py
index a12eb519..27e64b56 100644
--- a/pyqtgraph/graphicsItems/ViewBox/ViewBox.py
+++ b/pyqtgraph/graphicsItems/ViewBox/ViewBox.py
@@ -321,13 +321,7 @@ class ViewBox(GraphicsWidget):
 
         self.state.update(state)
 
-        if self.state['enableMenu'] and self.menu is None:
-            self.menu = ViewBoxMenu(self)
-            self.updateViewLists()
-        elif not self.state['enableMenu'] and self.menu is not None:
-            self.menu.setParent(None)
-            self.menu = None
-
+        self._applyMenuEnabled()
         self.updateViewRange()
         self.sigStateChanged.emit(self)
 
@@ -381,16 +375,20 @@ class ViewBox(GraphicsWidget):
 
     def setMenuEnabled(self, enableMenu=True):
         self.state['enableMenu'] = enableMenu
+        self._applyMenuEnabled()
+        self.sigStateChanged.emit(self)
+
+    def menuEnabled(self):
+        return self.state.get('enableMenu', True)
+
+    def _applyMenuEnabled(self):
+        enableMenu = self.state.get("enableMenu", True)
         if enableMenu and self.menu is None:
             self.menu = ViewBoxMenu(self)
             self.updateViewLists()
         elif not enableMenu and self.menu is not None:
             self.menu.setParent(None)
             self.menu = None
-        self.sigStateChanged.emit(self)
-
-    def menuEnabled(self):
-        return self.state.get('enableMenu', True)
 
     def addItem(self, item, ignoreBounds=False):
         """