diff --git a/docs/changes.txt b/docs/changes.txt
index 7128686cf0..d79c1041c9 100644
--- a/docs/changes.txt
+++ b/docs/changes.txt
@@ -343,6 +343,9 @@ Deprecated methods and their replacements
 - wxFont::SetNoAntiAliasing() was deprecated, it never really worked in most
   ports and was always marked as "experimental" API. It will be replaced with
   wxDC-level anti-aliasing control in the future.
+- wxValidator::SetBellOnError() incorrectly interpreted its argument (it
+  disabled the bell when it was true) and was replaced by SuppressBellOnError()
+  with more expected semantics.
 
 
 Major new features in this release
diff --git a/include/wx/validate.h b/include/wx/validate.h
index 3cd0fdc435..f6832d16d1 100644
--- a/include/wx/validate.h
+++ b/include/wx/validate.h
@@ -62,10 +62,23 @@ public:
     wxWindow *GetWindow() const { return (wxWindow *)m_validatorWindow; }
     void SetWindow(wxWindowBase *win) { m_validatorWindow = win; }
 
-    // validators beep by default if invalid key is pressed, these functions
-    // allow to change it
+    // validators beep by default if invalid key is pressed, this function
+    // allows to change this
+    static void SuppressBellOnError(bool suppress = true)
+        { ms_isSilent = suppress; }
+
+    // test if beep is currently disabled
     static bool IsSilent() { return ms_isSilent; }
-    static void SetBellOnError(bool doIt = true) { ms_isSilent = doIt; }
+
+    // this function is deprecated because it handled its parameter
+    // unnaturally: it disabled the bell when it was true, not false as could
+    // be expected; use SuppressBellOnError() instead
+#if WXWIN_COMPATIBILITY_2_8
+    wxDEPRECATED_INLINE(
+        static void SetBellOnError(bool doIt = true),
+        ms_isSilent = doIt;
+    )
+#endif
 
 protected:
     wxWindowBase *m_validatorWindow;
diff --git a/interface/wx/validate.h b/interface/wx/validate.h
index bb2077bcaa..0121382602 100644
--- a/interface/wx/validate.h
+++ b/interface/wx/validate.h
@@ -74,8 +74,14 @@ public:
     /**
         This functions switches on or turns off the error sound produced by the
         validators if an invalid key is pressed.
+
+        @since 2.9.1
+
+        @param suppress
+            If @true, error sound is not played when a validator detects an
+            error. If @false, error sound is enabled.
     */
-    static void SetBellOnError(bool doIt = true);
+    static void SuppressBellOnError(bool suppress = true);
 
     /**
         Associates a window with the validator.
diff --git a/samples/validate/validate.cpp b/samples/validate/validate.cpp
index 4840a7d6a3..dc03e879b7 100644
--- a/samples/validate/validate.cpp
+++ b/samples/validate/validate.cpp
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ MyFrame::MyFrame(wxFrame *frame, const wxString&title, int x, int y, int w, int
 
     // All validators share a common (static) flag that controls
     // whether they beep on error. Here we turn it off:
-    wxValidator::SetBellOnError(m_silent);
+    wxValidator::SuppressBellOnError(m_silent);
     file_menu->Check(VALIDATE_TOGGLE_BELL, !wxValidator::IsSilent());
 
 #if wxUSE_STATUSBAR
@@ -221,7 +221,7 @@ void MyFrame::OnTestDialog(wxCommandEvent& WXUNUSED(event))
 void MyFrame::OnToggleBell(wxCommandEvent& event)
 {
     m_silent = !m_silent;
-    wxValidator::SetBellOnError(m_silent);
+    wxValidator::SuppressBellOnError(m_silent);
     event.Skip();
 }