diff --git a/lib/ace/multi_select.js b/lib/ace/multi_select.js
index 91643937..a811b6be 100644
--- a/lib/ace/multi_select.js
+++ b/lib/ace/multi_select.js
@@ -694,7 +694,7 @@ var Editor = require("./editor").Editor;
         var range = sel.toOrientedRange();
         if (range.isEmpty()) {
             var range = session.getWordRange(range.start.row, range.start.column);
-            range.cursor = range.end;
+            range.cursor = dir == -1 ? range.start : range.end;
             this.multiSelect.addRange(range);
             return;
         }