1 files changed, 4 insertions, 1 deletions
diff --git a/src/pardes.zig b/src/pardes.zig
index c88687d0..89f295cc 100644
--- a/src/pardes.zig
+++ b/src/pardes.zig
@@ -2005,8 +2005,11 @@ pub const Pardes = struct {
 
         // Esc: exit select mode / drop pending prefixes + count. The
         // selection itself SURVIVES (helix; `;` collapses it) — motions
-        // replace it anyway.
+        // replace it anyway. On an OUTPUT BUFFER (+Search, +Help) there is no
+        // file behind the pane and nothing worth keeping, so "never mind"
+        // means dismiss it: Esc IS Del, the same builtin its tag offers.
         if (is(key, Key.escape)) {
+            if (pane.file) |f| if (f.output) return p.runBuiltin(.Del, p.active, "");
             pane.select = false;
             pane.pending = 0;
             pane.pending2 = 0;