diff --git a/src/fe-text/statusbar.c b/src/fe-text/statusbar.c
index 2e54f067..9f1b09b0 100644
--- a/src/fe-text/statusbar.c
+++ b/src/fe-text/statusbar.c
@@ -661,7 +661,9 @@ static char *reverse_controls(const char *str)
 	out = g_string_new(NULL);
 
 	while (*str != '\0') {
-		if (!IS_PRINTABLE((unsigned char) *str)) {
+		if ((unsigned char) *str < 32 ||
+		    (term_type == TERM_TYPE_8BIT &&
+		     (unsigned char) (*str & 0x7f) < 32)) {
 			/* control char */
 			g_string_sprintfa(out, "%%8%c%%8",
 					  'A'-1 + (*str & 0x7f));