diff --git a/lib/reline.rb b/lib/reline.rb
index 57a21b6644..2bf62df79d 100644
--- a/lib/reline.rb
+++ b/lib/reline.rb
@@ -214,7 +214,7 @@ module Reline
         return nil
       end
       pre, target, post = retrieve_completion_block(true)
-      if target.nil? or target.empty? or target.size <= 3
+      if target.nil? or target.empty? or (completion_journey_data&.pointer == -1 and target.size <= 3)
         return nil
       end
       if completion_journey_data and completion_journey_data.list