diff --git a/kitty/utils.py b/kitty/utils.py
index c223af843..68cb42195 100644
--- a/kitty/utils.py
+++ b/kitty/utils.py
@@ -61,6 +61,11 @@ def sgr_sanitizer_pat(for_splitting: bool = False) -> 're.Pattern[str]':
     return re.compile(pat)
 
 
+@run_once
+def ansi_sanitizer_pat() -> 're.Pattern[str]':
+    return re.compile(r'\x1b(?:\[.*?m|\].*?\x1b\\)')
+
+
 def platform_window_id(os_window_id: int) -> Optional[int]:
     if is_macos:
         from .fast_data_types import cocoa_window_id
diff --git a/kitty/window.py b/kitty/window.py
index 4fd8b906f..a1d085ce2 100644
--- a/kitty/window.py
+++ b/kitty/window.py
@@ -42,11 +42,12 @@ from .notify import NotificationCommand, handle_notification_cmd
 from .options.types import Options
 from .rgb import to_color
 from .terminfo import get_capabilities
-from .types import MouseEvent, WindowGeometry, ac, run_once
+from .types import MouseEvent, WindowGeometry, ac
 from .typing import BossType, ChildType, EdgeLiteral, TabType, TypedDict
 from .utils import (
-    get_primary_selection, load_shaders, log_error, open_cmd, open_url,
-    parse_color_set, resolve_custom_file, sanitize_title, set_primary_selection
+    ansi_sanitizer_pat, get_primary_selection, load_shaders, log_error,
+    open_cmd, open_url, parse_color_set, resolve_custom_file, sanitize_title,
+    set_primary_selection
 )
 
 MatchPatternType = Union[Pattern[str], Tuple[Pattern[str], Optional[Pattern[str]]]]
@@ -282,11 +283,6 @@ def setup_colors(screen: Screen, opts: Options) -> None:
     )
 
 
-@run_once
-def ansi_sanitizer_pat() -> 're.Pattern[str]':
-    return re.compile(r'\x1b(?:\[.*?m|\].*?\x1b\\)')
-
-
 def text_sanitizer(as_ansi: bool, add_wrap_markers: bool) -> Callable[[str], str]:
     pat = ansi_sanitizer_pat()
     ansi, wrap_markers = not as_ansi, not add_wrap_markers