diff --git a/input/input.c b/input/input.c
index 686b672dce..68bb2b0859 100644
--- a/input/input.c
+++ b/input/input.c
@@ -598,7 +598,8 @@ static void interpret_key(struct input_ctx *ictx, int code, double scale,
                           int scale_units)
 {
     int state = code & (MP_KEY_STATE_DOWN | MP_KEY_STATE_UP);
-    code = code & ~(unsigned)state;
+    bool no_emit = code & MP_KEY_STATE_SET_ONLY;
+    code = code & ~(unsigned)(state | MP_KEY_STATE_SET_ONLY);
 
     if (mp_msg_test(ictx->log, MSGL_TRACE)) {
         char *key = mp_input_get_key_name(code);
@@ -648,9 +649,10 @@ static void interpret_key(struct input_ctx *ictx, int code, double scale,
         return;
 
     // Don't emit a command on key-down if the key is designed to emit commands
-    // on key-up (like mouse buttons). Also, if the command specifically should
-    // be sent both on key down and key up, still emit the command.
-    if (cmd->emit_on_up && !cmd->def->on_updown) {
+    // on key-up (like mouse buttons), or setting key state only without emitting commands.
+    // Also, if the command specifically should be sent both on key down and key up,
+    // still emit the command.
+    if ((cmd->emit_on_up && !cmd->def->on_updown) || no_emit) {
         talloc_free(cmd);
         return;
     }
diff --git a/input/keycodes.h b/input/keycodes.h
index 93633e69de..e2384d6719 100644
--- a/input/keycodes.h
+++ b/input/keycodes.h
@@ -251,6 +251,9 @@
 // or don't use MP_KEY_STATE_DOWN in the first place.
 #define MP_KEY_STATE_UP        (1u<<29)
 
+// Only set the key state without triggering key bindings.
+#define MP_KEY_STATE_SET_ONLY  (1u<<30)
+
 #define MP_KEY_MODIFIER_MASK (MP_KEY_MODIFIER_SHIFT | MP_KEY_MODIFIER_CTRL | \
                               MP_KEY_MODIFIER_ALT | MP_KEY_MODIFIER_META | \
                               MP_KEY_STATE_DOWN | MP_KEY_STATE_UP)