diff --git a/term/src/lib.rs b/term/src/lib.rs
index 572dc0256..6fc9ce6c9 100644
--- a/term/src/lib.rs
+++ b/term/src/lib.rs
@@ -79,6 +79,15 @@ pub fn in_range<T: PartialOrd>(value: T, range: &Range<T>) -> bool {
     value >= range.start && value < range.end
 }
 
+/// Returns true if r1 intersects r2
+pub fn intersects_range<T: Ord + Copy>(r1: Range<T>, r2: Range<T>) -> bool {
+    use std::cmp::{max, min};
+    let start = max(r1.start, r2.start);
+    let end = min(r1.end, r2.end);
+
+    end > start
+}
+
 /// Position allows referring to an absolute visible row number
 /// or a position relative to some existing row number (typically
 /// where the cursor is located).  Both of the cases are represented
diff --git a/term/src/terminalstate.rs b/term/src/terminalstate.rs
index 46e317c28..7d65df401 100644
--- a/term/src/terminalstate.rs
+++ b/term/src/terminalstate.rs
@@ -213,7 +213,7 @@ impl TerminalState {
         match sel {
             Some(sel) => {
                 let sel_cols = sel.cols_for_row(row);
-                if cols.start >= sel_cols.start && cols.end <= sel_cols.end {
+                if intersects_range(cols, sel_cols) {
                     // Intersects, so clear the selection
                     self.clear_selection();
                     true
@@ -239,7 +239,7 @@ impl TerminalState {
         match sel {
             Some(sel) => {
                 let sel_rows = sel.rows();
-                if rows.start >= sel_rows.start && rows.end <= sel_rows.end {
+                if intersects_range(rows, sel_rows) {
                     // Intersects, so clear the selection
                     self.clear_selection();
                     true