diff --git a/st.c b/st.c
index 8e6ccb5..ede7ae6 100644
--- a/st.c
+++ b/st.c
@@ -458,7 +458,7 @@ selextend(int col, int row, int type, int done)
 	selnormalize();
 	sel.type = type;
 
-	if (oldey != sel.oe.y || oldex != sel.oe.x || oldtype != sel.type)
+	if (oldey != sel.oe.y || oldex != sel.oe.x || oldtype != sel.type || sel.mode == SEL_EMPTY)
 		tsetdirt(MIN(sel.nb.y, oldsby), MAX(sel.ne.y, oldsey));
 
 	sel.mode = done ? SEL_IDLE : SEL_READY;