diff --git a/lib/ace/mouse/default_handlers.js b/lib/ace/mouse/default_handlers.js
index e7056e1c..71973b0a 100644
--- a/lib/ace/mouse/default_handlers.js
+++ b/lib/ace/mouse/default_handlers.js
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ function DefaultHandlers(editor) {
 
         var mousePageX = pageX, mousePageY = pageY;
         var mousedownTime = (new Date()).getTime();
-        var dragCursor, dragRange;
+        var dragCursor, dragRange, dragSelectionMarker;
 
         var onMouseSelection = function(e) {
             mousePageX = event.getDocumentX(e);
@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ function DefaultHandlers(editor) {
                     state = STATE_DRAG;
                     dragRange = editor.getSelectionRange();
                     var style = editor.getSelectionStyle();
-                    editor.session.addMarker(dragRange, "ace_selection", style);
+                    dragSelectionMarker = editor.session.addMarker(dragRange, "ace_selection", style);
                     editor.clearSelection();
                     dom.addCssClass(editor.container, "ace_dragging");
                 }