diff --git a/src/input_handler.cc b/src/input_handler.cc
index d96a8f10..b5b6a847 100644
--- a/src/input_handler.cc
+++ b/src/input_handler.cc
@@ -842,7 +842,8 @@ private:
              kak_assert(false); // invalid for interactive insert
              break;
         }
-        selections.sort_and_merge_overlapping();
+        if (mode != InsertMode::Append)
+            selections.sort_and_merge_overlapping();
         selections.check_invariant();
         buffer.check_invariant();
     }