diff --git a/screen-write.c b/screen-write.c
index 01f8a097..c09d09ab 100644
--- a/screen-write.c
+++ b/screen-write.c
@@ -197,9 +197,20 @@ screen_write_initctx(struct screen_write_ctx *ctx, struct tty_ctx *ttyctx,
 		}
 	}
 
-	if (ctx->wp != NULL &&
-	    (~ctx->flags & SCREEN_WRITE_SYNC) &&
-	    (sync || ctx->wp != ctx->wp->window->active)) {
+	if (~ctx->flags & SCREEN_WRITE_SYNC) {
+		/*
+		 * For the active pane or for an overlay (no pane), we want to
+		 * only use synchronized updates if requested (commands that
+		 * move the cursor); for other panes, always use it, since the
+		 * cursor will have to move.
+		 */
+		if (ctx->wp != NULL) {
+			if (ctx->wp != ctx->wp->window->active)
+				ttyctx->num = 1;
+			else
+				ttyctx->num = sync;
+		} else
+			ttyctx->num = 0x10|sync;
 		tty_write(tty_cmd_syncstart, ttyctx);
 		ctx->flags |= SCREEN_WRITE_SYNC;
 	}
diff --git a/tty.c b/tty.c
index 2a9f8b01..f93f6c57 100644
--- a/tty.c
+++ b/tty.c
@@ -2039,9 +2039,22 @@ tty_cmd_rawstring(struct tty *tty, const struct tty_ctx *ctx)
 }
 
 void
-tty_cmd_syncstart(struct tty *tty, __unused const struct tty_ctx *ctx)
+tty_cmd_syncstart(struct tty *tty, const struct tty_ctx *ctx)
 {
-	tty_sync_start(tty);
+	if (ctx->num == 0x11) {
+		/*
+		 * This is an overlay and a command that moves, the cursor so
+		 * start synchronized updates.
+		 */
+		tty_sync_start(tty);
+	} else if (~ctx->num & 0x10) {
+		/*
+		 * This is a pane. If there is an overlay, always start;
+		 * otherwise, only if requested.
+		 */
+		if (ctx->num || tty->client->overlay_draw != NULL)
+			tty_sync_start(tty);
+	}
 }
 
 void