diff --git a/src/global.c b/src/global.c
index a7f0d6d0..e339316f 100644
--- a/src/global.c
+++ b/src/global.c
@@ -462,7 +462,7 @@ functionptrtype func_from_key(int *kbinput)
 void assign_keyinfo(sc *s, const char *keystring, const int keycode)
 {
 	s->keystr = keystring;
-	s->meta = (keystring[0] == 'M' && keystring[2] != '\xE2');
+	s->meta = (keystring[0] == 'M' && keycode == 0);
 
 	assert(strlen(keystring) > 1 && (!s->meta || strlen(keystring) > 2));
 
diff --git a/src/winio.c b/src/winio.c
index 3194506c..a1331b44 100644
--- a/src/winio.c
+++ b/src/winio.c
@@ -576,10 +576,9 @@ int parse_kbinput(WINDOW *win)
 		return ALT_UP;
 	else if (retval == altdown)
 		return ALT_DOWN;
-	else if (retval == altdelete) {
-		meta_key = TRUE;
+	else if (retval == altdelete)
 		return ALT_DELETE;
-	} else if (retval == shiftaltleft) {
+	else if (retval == shiftaltleft) {
 		shift_held = TRUE;
 		return KEY_HOME;
 	} else if (retval == shiftaltright) {
@@ -613,10 +612,8 @@ int parse_kbinput(WINDOW *win)
 		if (retval == KEY_DC) {
 			if ((modifiers & 0x05) == 0x05)
 				return CONTROL_SHIFT_DELETE;
-			if (modifiers == 0x08) {
-				meta_key = TRUE;
+			if (modifiers == 0x08)
 				return ALT_DELETE;
-			}
 		}
 #endif
 		/* Is Ctrl being held? */