diff --git a/src/Surface.zig b/src/Surface.zig
index 82d1240eb..ca5839088 100644
--- a/src/Surface.zig
+++ b/src/Surface.zig
@@ -1565,13 +1565,13 @@ pub fn keyCallback(
         if (self.io.terminal.modes.get(.disable_keyboard)) return .consumed;
     }
 
-    // If this input event has text, then we hide the mouse if configured.
+    // If this input event sends data to pty, we hide the mouse if configured.
     // We only do this on pressed events to avoid hiding the mouse when we
     // change focus due to a keybinding (i.e. switching tabs).
     if (self.config.mouse_hide_while_typing and
         event.action == .press and
         !self.mouse.hidden and
-        event.utf8.len > 0)
+        !event.key.modifier())
     {
         self.hideMouse();
     }