diff --git a/st.c b/st.c
index 73fe291..c0a9bf3 100644
--- a/st.c
+++ b/st.c
@@ -1069,6 +1069,7 @@ void
 selclear(XEvent *e) {
 	if(sel.ob.x == -1)
 		return;
+	sel.mode = SEL_IDLE;
 	sel.ob.x = -1;
 	tsetdirt(sel.nb.y, sel.ne.y);
 }