diff --git a/cmd/ncdu/ncdu.go b/cmd/ncdu/ncdu.go
index cde48d972..dbbc146e5 100644
--- a/cmd/ncdu/ncdu.go
+++ b/cmd/ncdu/ncdu.go
@@ -114,7 +114,8 @@ func helpText() (tr []string) {
 		" ^L refresh screen (fix screen corruption)",
 		" r recalculate file sizes",
 		" ? to toggle help on and off",
-		" q/ESC/^c to quit",
+		" ESC to close the menu box",
+		" q/^c to quit",
 	}...)
 	return
 }
@@ -990,7 +991,7 @@ outer:
 				}
 				switch c {
 				case key(tcell.KeyEsc), key(tcell.KeyCtrlC), 'q':
-					if u.showBox {
+					if u.showBox || c == key(tcell.KeyEsc) {
 						u.showBox = false
 					} else {
 						break outer