diff --git a/src/ex_docmd.c b/src/ex_docmd.c
index 53f9d1a..e6200ed 100644
--- a/src/ex_docmd.c
+++ b/src/ex_docmd.c
@@ -2722,6 +2722,12 @@
 }
 
 /*
+ * The "+" string used in place of an empty command in Ex mode.
+ * This string is used in pointer comparison.
+ */
+static char exmode_plus[] = "+";
+
+/*
  * Handle a range without a command.
  * Returns an error message on failure.
  */
@@ -2730,7 +2736,8 @@
 {
     char *errormsg = NULL;
 
-    if ((*eap->cmd == '|' || exmode_active)
+    if ((*eap->cmd == '|' ||
+		(exmode_active && eap->cmd != (char_u *)exmode_plus + 1))
 #ifdef FEAT_EVAL
 	    && !in_vim9script()
 #endif
@@ -3212,7 +3219,7 @@
 		eap->cmd = orig_cmd;
     }
     else if (use_plus_cmd)
-	eap->cmd = (char_u *)"+";
+	eap->cmd = (char_u *)exmode_plus;
 
     return OK;
 }