diff --git a/CHANGELOG.rst b/CHANGELOG.rst
index a0d2207e2..f65f66201 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.rst
+++ b/CHANGELOG.rst
@@ -28,6 +28,9 @@ version 0.7.0 [future]
 - macOS: Fix closing top-level window does not transfer focus to other
   top-level windows.
 
+- macOS: Fix alt+arrow keys not working when disabling the macos_option_as_alt
+  config option.
+
 - kitty icat: Workaround for bug in ImageMagick that would cause some images
   to fail to display at certain sizes.
 
diff --git a/kitty/keys.c b/kitty/keys.c
index f640f2c16..2665fceda 100644
--- a/kitty/keys.c
+++ b/kitty/keys.c
@@ -176,7 +176,9 @@ on_key_input(int key, int scancode, int action, int mods) {
         screen_history_scroll(screen, SCROLL_FULL, false);  // scroll back to bottom
     }
 #ifdef __APPLE__
-    if (!OPT(macos_option_as_alt) && IS_ALT_MODS(mods)) return;
+    if (!OPT(macos_option_as_alt) && IS_ALT_MODS(mods) && !(
+                key == GLFW_KEY_UP || key == GLFW_KEY_DOWN || key == GLFW_KEY_LEFT || key == GLFW_KEY_RIGHT)  // alt+arrow keys do not generate text on macOS
+       ) return;
 #endif
     if (
             action == GLFW_PRESS ||