diff --git a/lisp/term/xterm.el b/lisp/term/xterm.el
index 1a727e3933e..709410064b1 100644
--- a/lisp/term/xterm.el
+++ b/lisp/term/xterm.el
@@ -767,7 +767,8 @@ Can be nil to mean \"no timeout\".")
 By not redisplaying right away for xterm queries, we can avoid
 unsightly flashing during initialization. Give up and redisplay
 anyway if we've been waiting a little while."
-  (let ((start-time (current-time)))
+  (let ((start-time (current-time))
+        (inhibit--record-char t))
     (or (let ((inhibit-redisplay t))
           (read-event nil nil xterm-query-redisplay-timeout))
         (read-event nil nil