diff --git a/src/TerminalDisplay.cpp b/src/TerminalDisplay.cpp
--- a/src/TerminalDisplay.cpp
+++ b/src/TerminalDisplay.cpp
@@ -2734,7 +2734,7 @@
             _scrollBar->event(ev);
             _sessionController->setSearchStartToWindowCurrentLine();
             _scrollWheelState.clearAll();
-        } else {
+        } else if (_sessionController->session()->isForegroundProcessActive()) {
             // assume that each Up / Down key event will cause the terminal application
             // to scroll by one line.
             //