diff --git a/lib/ace/editor.js b/lib/ace/editor.js
index a7765e8c..1e94863a 100644
--- a/lib/ace/editor.js
+++ b/lib/ace/editor.js
@@ -2389,7 +2389,8 @@ config.defineOptions(Editor.prototype, "editor", {
     },
     readOnly: {
         set: function(readOnly) {
-            this.textInput.setReadOnly(readOnly); 
+            // disabled to not break vim mode!
+            // this.textInput.setReadOnly(readOnly);
             this.$resetCursorStyle(); 
         },
         initialValue: false