diff --git a/edit.lua b/edit.lua
index 03d8719..5f73b7c 100644
--- a/edit.lua
+++ b/edit.lua
@@ -212,6 +212,7 @@ function edit.mouse_release(State, x,y, mouse_button)
   if State.search_term then return end
   State.mouse_down = nil
 --?   print_and_log(('edit.mouse_release(%d,%d): cursor at %d,%d'):format(x,y, State.cursor1.line, State.cursor1.pos))
+  State.mouse_down = nil
   if y < State.top then
     State.cursor1 = {line=State.screen_top1.line, pos=State.screen_top1.pos}
     edit.clean_up_mouse_press(State)