diff --git a/kitty/cmds.py b/kitty/cmds.py
index abee06ecd..6cf1727d3 100644
--- a/kitty/cmds.py
+++ b/kitty/cmds.py
@@ -530,7 +530,7 @@ def get_text(boss, window, payload):
     if payload['extent'] == 'selection':
         ans = window.text_for_selection()
     else:
-        ans = window.as_text(as_ansi=bool(payload['ansi']), add_history=True)
+        ans = window.as_text(as_ansi=bool(payload['ansi']), add_history=(payload['extent']=='all'))
     return ans
 # }}}