diff --git a/src/main.c b/src/main.c
index 6581ba9..ef48934 100644
--- a/src/main.c
+++ b/src/main.c
@@ -804,6 +804,9 @@
 
     starttermcap();	    /* start termcap if not done by wait_return() */
     TIME_MSG("start termcap");
+#if defined(FEAT_TERMRESPONSE) && defined(FEAT_MBYTE)
+    may_req_ambiguous_character_width();
+#endif
 
 #ifdef FEAT_MOUSE
     setmouse();				/* may start using the mouse */