diff --git a/st.c b/st.c
index 2594c65..89bffdd 100644
--- a/st.c
+++ b/st.c
@@ -532,6 +532,7 @@ static char *opt_line  = NULL;
 static char *opt_name  = NULL;
 static char *opt_title = NULL;
 static int oldbutton   = 3; /* button event on startup: 3 = release */
+static int bellon      = 0; /* visual bell status */
 
 static char *usedfont = NULL;
 static double usedfontsize = 0;
@@ -2766,6 +2767,15 @@ tcontrolcode(uchar ascii)
 				xseturgency(1);
 			if (bellvolume)
 				XkbBell(xw.dpy, xw.win, bellvolume, (Atom)NULL);
+
+                        /* visual bell*/
+                        if (!bellon) {
+                                bellon = 1;
+                                MODBIT(term.mode, !IS_SET(MODE_REVERSE), MODE_REVERSE);
+                                redraw();
+                                XFlush(xw.dpy);
+                                MODBIT(term.mode, !IS_SET(MODE_REVERSE), MODE_REVERSE);
+                        }
 		}
 		break;
 	case '\033': /* ESC */
@@ -4292,7 +4302,12 @@ run(void)
 					(handler[ev.type])(&ev);
 			}
 
-			draw();
+			if (bellon) {
+				bellon = 0;
+				redraw();
+			}
+			else draw();
+
 			XFlush(xw.dpy);
 
 			if (xev && !FD_ISSET(xfd, &rfd))