diff --git a/lua/libmodal/src/Mode.lua b/lua/libmodal/src/Mode.lua
index 4c36176..50c9766 100644
--- a/lua/libmodal/src/Mode.lua
+++ b/lua/libmodal/src/Mode.lua
@@ -131,6 +131,10 @@ function _metaMode:enter()
 		self._popups:push(require('libmodal/src/collections/Popup').new())
 	end
 
+	if vim.b then -- requires neovim 0.5
+		self._previousModeName = vim.b.libmodalActiveModeName
+		vim.b.libmodalActiveModeName = self._name
+	end
 
 	--[[ MODE LOOP. ]]
 	local continueMode = true
@@ -247,6 +251,10 @@ function _metaMode:_tearDown()
 		self._popups:pop():close()
 	end
 
+	if vim.b then -- this step requires 0.5
+		vim.b.libmodalActiveModeName = self._previousModeName
+	end
+
 	self._winState:restore()
 	utils.api.nvim_redraw()
 end