diff --git a/src/cmdexpand.c b/src/cmdexpand.c
index 9f24429..597f78d 100644
--- a/src/cmdexpand.c
+++ b/src/cmdexpand.c
@@ -286,6 +286,9 @@
 	{
 	    int use_options = options |
 		    WILD_HOME_REPLACE|WILD_ADD_SLASH|WILD_SILENT;
+	    if (use_options & WILD_KEEP_SOLE_ITEM)
+		use_options &= ~WILD_KEEP_SOLE_ITEM;
+
 	    if (escape)
 		use_options |= WILD_ESCAPE;
 
@@ -340,7 +343,7 @@
 
     if (xp->xp_numfiles <= 0 && p2 == NULL)
 	beep_flush();
-    else if (xp->xp_numfiles == 1)
+    else if (xp->xp_numfiles == 1 && !(options & WILD_KEEP_SOLE_ITEM))
 	// free expanded pattern
 	(void)ExpandOne(xp, NULL, NULL, 0, WILD_FREE);