diff --git a/st.c b/st.c
index d68d05b..862040b 100644
--- a/st.c
+++ b/st.c
@@ -2342,8 +2342,10 @@ csihandle(void)
 	case 'l': /* RM -- Reset Mode */
 		tsetmode(csiescseq.priv, 0, csiescseq.arg, csiescseq.narg);
 		#if SIXEL_PATCH
-		for (im = term.images; im; im = im->next)
-			im->should_delete = 1;
+		if (IS_SET(MODE_ALTSCREEN)) {
+			for (im = term.images; im; im = im->next)
+				im->should_delete = 1;
+		}
 		#endif // SIXEL_PATCH
 		break;
 	case 'M': /* DL -- Delete <n> lines */