diff --git a/helix-term/src/commands.rs b/helix-term/src/commands.rs
index 25f00f987..bf8229441 100644
--- a/helix-term/src/commands.rs
+++ b/helix-term/src/commands.rs
@@ -3467,7 +3467,14 @@ enum Paste {
     Cursor,
 }
 
-fn paste_impl(values: &[String], doc: &mut Document, view: &mut View, action: Paste, count: usize) {
+fn paste_impl(
+    values: &[String],
+    doc: &mut Document,
+    view: &mut View,
+    action: Paste,
+    count: usize,
+    mode: Mode,
+) {
     if values.is_empty() {
         return;
     }
@@ -3499,7 +3506,7 @@ fn paste_impl(values: &[String], doc: &mut Document, view: &mut View, action: Pa
     let mut offset = 0;
     let mut ranges = SmallVec::with_capacity(selection.len());
 
-    let transaction = Transaction::change_by_selection(text, selection, |range| {
+    let mut transaction = Transaction::change_by_selection(text, selection, |range| {
         let pos = match (action, linewise) {
             // paste linewise before
             (Paste::Before, true) => text.line_to_char(text.char_to_line(range.from())),
@@ -3531,7 +3538,9 @@ fn paste_impl(values: &[String], doc: &mut Document, view: &mut View, action: Pa
         (pos, pos, value)
     });
 
-    let transaction = transaction.with_selection(Selection::new(ranges, selection.primary_index()));
+    if mode == Mode::Normal {
+        transaction = transaction.with_selection(Selection::new(ranges, selection.primary_index()));
+    }
 
     apply_transaction(&transaction, doc, view);
 }
@@ -3543,7 +3552,7 @@ pub(crate) fn paste_bracketed_value(cx: &mut Context, contents: String) {
         Mode::Normal => Paste::Before,
     };
     let (view, doc) = current!(cx.editor);
-    paste_impl(&[contents], doc, view, paste, count);
+    paste_impl(&[contents], doc, view, paste, count, cx.editor.mode);
 }
 
 fn paste_clipboard_impl(
@@ -3555,7 +3564,7 @@ fn paste_clipboard_impl(
     let (view, doc) = current!(editor);
     match editor.clipboard_provider.get_contents(clipboard_type) {
         Ok(contents) => {
-            paste_impl(&[contents], doc, view, action, count);
+            paste_impl(&[contents], doc, view, action, count, editor.mode);
             Ok(())
         }
         Err(e) => Err(e.context("Couldn't get system clipboard contents")),
@@ -3674,7 +3683,7 @@ fn paste(cx: &mut Context, pos: Paste) {
     let registers = &mut cx.editor.registers;
 
     if let Some(values) = registers.read(reg_name) {
-        paste_impl(values, doc, view, pos, count);
+        paste_impl(values, doc, view, pos, count, cx.editor.mode);
     }
 }