diff --git a/kitty/keys.py b/kitty/keys.py
index 6722d8eb7..a15928329 100644
--- a/kitty/keys.py
+++ b/kitty/keys.py
@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ class Mappings:
                         self._push_keyboard_mode(sm)
                         self.debug_print('\n\x1b[35mKeyPress\x1b[m matched sequence prefix, ', end='')
                     else:
-                        if len(final_actions) == 1:
+                        if len(final_actions) == 1 and not final_actions[0].rest:
                             self.pop_keyboard_mode()
                             consumed = self.combine(final_actions[0].definition)
                             if not consumed:
diff --git a/kitty_tests/keys.py b/kitty_tests/keys.py
index d8584a9bc..702616ebd 100644
--- a/kitty_tests/keys.py
+++ b/kitty_tests/keys.py
@@ -610,6 +610,11 @@ class TestKeys(BaseTest):
         af(tm.actions)
         self.ae(len(tm.active_window.key_seqs), 1)
 
+        # a single multi-key mapping should not prematurely match
+        tm = TM('map alt+1>2>3')
+        self.ae(tm('alt+1', '2'), [True, True])
+        af(tm.actions)
+
         # changing a multi key mapping
         tm = TM('map kitty_mod+p>f new_window')
         self.ae(tm('ctrl+shift+p', 'f'), [True, True])