diff --git a/README.rst b/README.rst
index cdd2159..3122785 100644
--- a/README.rst
+++ b/README.rst
@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@ KEYBINDINGS
 COMMAND MODE
 -------------------
 
+*While in command mode, output is paused.*
+
 * ``escape``: deactivate command mode
 * ``v``: visual mode
 * ``V``: visual line mode
@@ -53,6 +55,5 @@ TODO
 * hint mode overlay for urls (like elinks/vimperator/pentadactyl)
 * scrollback search needs to be improved upstream [1]_
 * expose keybindings in ``termite.cfg``
-* output should be paused while in command mode
 
 .. [1] https://bugzilla.gnome.org/show_bug.cgi?id=627886
diff --git a/termite.c b/termite.c
index 2eb9538..ecfc764 100644
--- a/termite.c
+++ b/termite.c
@@ -3,6 +3,9 @@
 #include <stdbool.h>
 #include <string.h>
 
+#include <termios.h>
+#include <unistd.h>
+
 #include <gdk/gdkx.h>
 #include <gtk/gtk.h>
 #include <vte/vte.h>
@@ -36,6 +39,7 @@ typedef struct select_info {
     long begin_row;
     long cursor_col;
     long cursor_row;
+    tcflag_t ciflag_old;
 } select_info;
 
 typedef struct search_panel_info {
@@ -118,6 +122,16 @@ static void feed_str(VteTerminal *vte, const char *s) {
 
 static void start_selection(VteTerminal *vte, select_info *select) {
     feed_str(vte, CSI "?25l"); // hide cursor
+
+    // enable flow control
+    int fd = vte_pty_get_fd(vte_terminal_get_pty_object(vte));
+    struct termios t;
+    tcgetattr(fd, &t);
+    select->ciflag_old = t.c_iflag;
+    t.c_iflag |= IXON;
+    tcsetattr(fd, TCSANOW, &t);
+
+    vte_terminal_feed_child(vte, "\x13", 1); // pause output (XOFF)
     select->mode = SELECT_ON;
     vte_terminal_get_cursor_position(vte, &select->cursor_col, &select->cursor_row);
     update_selection(vte, select);
@@ -125,6 +139,15 @@ static void start_selection(VteTerminal *vte, select_info *select) {
 
 static void end_selection(VteTerminal *vte, select_info *select) {
     feed_str(vte, CSI "?25h"); // show cursor
+
+    // restore c_iflag
+    int fd = vte_pty_get_fd(vte_terminal_get_pty_object(vte));
+    struct termios t;
+    tcgetattr(fd, &t);
+    t.c_iflag = select->ciflag_old;
+    tcsetattr(fd, TCSANOW, &t);
+
+    vte_terminal_feed_child(vte, "\x11", 1); // resume output (XON)
     vte_terminal_select_none(vte);
     select->mode = SELECT_OFF;
 }
@@ -738,7 +761,7 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
     gtk_container_add(GTK_CONTAINER(overlay), vte);
     gtk_container_add(GTK_CONTAINER(window), overlay);
 
-    select_info select = {SELECT_OFF, 0, 0, 0, 0};
+    select_info select = {SELECT_OFF, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0};
     search_panel_info info = {vte, entry, alignment, OVERLAY_HIDDEN, select};
 
     g_signal_connect(window,  "destroy",            G_CALLBACK(gtk_main_quit), NULL);