diff --git a/frontend/apps/reader/modules/readerhighlight.lua b/frontend/apps/reader/modules/readerhighlight.lua
index 259ae0a13..082a1a359 100644
--- a/frontend/apps/reader/modules/readerhighlight.lua
+++ b/frontend/apps/reader/modules/readerhighlight.lua
@@ -1853,6 +1853,10 @@ function ReaderHighlight:onHoldPan(_, ges)
 
     local old_text = self.selected_text and self.selected_text.text
     self.selected_text = self.ui.document:getTextFromPositions(self.hold_pos, self.holdpan_pos)
+    if self.selected_text and self.selected_text.sboxes and #self.selected_text.sboxes == 0 then
+        self:clear()
+        return true
+    end
     self.is_word_selection = false
 
     if self.selected_text and self.selected_text.pos0 then