diff --git a/kitty/keys.c b/kitty/keys.c
index fb289530a..4f9dfd137 100644
--- a/kitty/keys.c
+++ b/kitty/keys.c
@@ -140,7 +140,11 @@ send_key_to_child(Window *w, int key, int mods, int action) {
     const char *data = key_to_bytes(key, screen->modes.mDECCKM, screen->modes.mEXTENDED_KEYBOARD, mods, action);
     if (data) {
         if (screen->modes.mEXTENDED_KEYBOARD) write_escape_code_to_child(screen, APC, data + 1);
-        else schedule_write_to_child(w->id, (data + 1), *data);
+        else {
+            if (*data > 2 && data[1] == 0x1b && data[2] == '[') { // CSI code
+                write_escape_code_to_child(screen, CSI, data + 3);
+            } else schedule_write_to_child(w->id, (data + 1), *data);
+        }
     }
 }