diff --git a/selectmenu.lua b/selectmenu.lua
index 186f6fb4d..dae914d0d 100644
--- a/selectmenu.lua
+++ b/selectmenu.lua
@@ -317,7 +317,7 @@ function SelectMenu:choose(ypos, height)
 
 		local ev = input.saveWaitForEvent()
 		ev.code = adjustKeyEvents(ev)
-		if ev.type == EV_KEY and ev.value == EVENT_VALUE_KEY_PRESS then
+		if ev.type == EV_KEY and ev.value ~= EVENT_VALUE_KEY_RELEASE then
 			keydef = Keydef:new(ev.code, getKeyModifier())
 			debug("key pressed: "..tostring(keydef))