diff --git a/st.c b/st.c
index 7c7ddff..2dc10c2 100644
--- a/st.c
+++ b/st.c
@@ -218,6 +218,7 @@ char *opt_line  = NULL;
 char *opt_name  = NULL;
 char *opt_title = NULL;
 int oldbutton   = 3; /* button event on startup: 3 = release */
+int bellon      = 0;
 
 static CSIEscape csiescseq;
 static STREscape strescseq;
@@ -2187,8 +2188,7 @@ tcontrolcode(uchar ascii)
 		} else {
 			if (!(win.state & WIN_FOCUSED))
 				xseturgency(1);
-			if (bellvolume)
-				xbell(bellvolume);
+			xbell(bellvolume);
 		}
 		break;
 	case '\033': /* ESC */
diff --git a/st.h b/st.h
index 44d4938..24a6eb6 100644
--- a/st.h
+++ b/st.h
@@ -231,6 +231,7 @@ extern char *opt_line;
 extern char *opt_name;
 extern char *opt_title;
 extern int oldbutton;
+extern int bellon;
 
 extern char *usedfont;
 extern double usedfontsize;
diff --git a/x.c b/x.c
index c484dfc..0b59d0e 100644
--- a/x.c
+++ b/x.c
@@ -1484,7 +1484,17 @@ xseturgency(int add)
 void
 xbell(int vol)
 {
-	XkbBell(xw.dpy, xw.win, vol, (Atom)NULL);
+	if (vol)
+		XkbBell(xw.dpy, xw.win, vol, (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);
+	}
 }
 
 unsigned long
@@ -1676,7 +1686,12 @@ run(void)
 					(handler[ev.type])(&ev);
 			}
 
-			draw();
+			if (bellon) {
+				bellon = 0;
+				redraw();
+			}
+			else draw();
+
 			XFlush(xw.dpy);
 
 			if (xev && !FD_ISSET(xfd, &rfd))
-- 
2.15.1