The present invention pertains to a method for isolating nucleic acids from a sample, preferably a blood sample, comprising the following steps: a) obtaining a sample which has been stabilized by the use of at least one cationic detergent, wherein the cationic detergent has formed complexes with the nucleic acids; b) obtaining the complexes optionally together with other sample components from the stabilized sample, wherein said complexes comprise the nucleic acids to be isolated; c) resuspending the complexes and optionally adding one or more additives before, during and/or after resuspension, thereby obtaining a resuspended sample comprising at least: i) the nucleic acid to be isolated; ii) at least one chaotropic agent; and iii) at least one chelating agent; and d) isolating nucleic acids from the resuspended sample. It was found that adding a chelating agent during resuspension considerably increases the nucleic acid yield as the formation of precipitates which irreversibly adhere to the container wall is considerably reduced.