diff --git a/src/tui/mode/helix.zig b/src/tui/mode/helix.zig
index 5036864..69daf70 100644
--- a/src/tui/mode/helix.zig
+++ b/src/tui/mode/helix.zig
@@ -601,8 +601,7 @@ fn move_cursor_prev_word_start_extend(root: Buffer.Root, cursel: *CurSel, metric
     var selection = cursel.selection;
     // check if we already had a selection and extend it
     defer if (selection) |*pre_sel| {
-        pre_sel.normalize();
-        if (cursel.selection) |*sel| sel.end = pre_sel.end;
+        if (cursel.selection) |*sel| sel.begin = pre_sel.begin;
     };
     try move_cursor_prev_word_start(root, cursel, metrics);
 }