diff --git a/docs/changelog.rst b/docs/changelog.rst
index cb42323fa..19ff4d72e 100644
--- a/docs/changelog.rst
+++ b/docs/changelog.rst
@@ -33,6 +33,9 @@ To update |kitty|, :doc:`follow the instructions <binary>`.
 - Fix space ligatures not working with Iosevka for some characters in the
   Enclosed Alphanumeric Supplement (:iss:`3954`)
 
+- hints kitten: Fix a regression that caused using the default open program
+  to trigger open actions instead of running the program (:iss:`3968`)
+
 
 0.23.1 [2021-08-17]
 ----------------------
diff --git a/kittens/hints/main.py b/kittens/hints/main.py
index 68d38d523..e77ebb749 100644
--- a/kittens/hints/main.py
+++ b/kittens/hints/main.py
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ from typing import (
 from kitty.cli import parse_args
 from kitty.cli_stub import HintsCLIOptions
 from kitty.constants import website_url
-from kitty.fast_data_types import set_clipboard_string
+from kitty.fast_data_types import get_options, set_clipboard_string
 from kitty.key_encoding import KeyEvent
 from kitty.typing import BossType, KittyCommonOpts
 from kitty.utils import ScreenSize, screen_size_function, set_primary_selection
@@ -778,7 +778,7 @@ def handle_result(args: List[str], data: Dict[str, Any], target_window_id: int,
             set_primary_selection(joined_text())
         else:
             cwd = data['cwd']
-            program = None if program == 'default' else program
+            program = get_options().open_url_with if program == 'default' else program
             if text_type == 'hyperlink':
                 w = boss.window_id_map.get(target_window_id)
                 for m in matches: