diff --git a/src/testing.c b/src/testing.c
index 3ab9dcd..5dacf07 100644
--- a/src/testing.c
+++ b/src/testing.c
@@ -640,6 +640,12 @@
 #ifdef USE_INPUT_BUF
     char_u	*val = tv_get_string_chk(&argvars[0]);
 
+# ifdef VIMDLL
+    // this doesn't work in the console
+    if (!gui.in_use)
+	return;
+# endif
+
     if (val != NULL)
     {
 	trash_input_buf();