diff --git a/src/global.c b/src/global.c
index 69c6647..a99ba09 100644
--- a/src/global.c
+++ b/src/global.c
@@ -446,6 +446,19 @@ void assign_keyinfo(sc *s, const char *keystring)
 	s->keycode = KEY_HOME;
     else if (!strcasecmp(keystring, "End"))
 	s->keycode = KEY_END;
+
+#ifndef NANO_TINY
+    /* Handle some special combinations, where combination is more than
+     * a pair of characters. */
+    if (!strcasecmp(keystring, "^Left"))
+	s->keycode = controlleft;
+    if (!strcasecmp(keystring, "^Right"))
+	s->keycode = controlright;
+    if (!strcasecmp(keystring, "^Up"))
+	s->keycode = controlup;
+    if (!strcasecmp(keystring, "^Down"))
+	s->keycode = controldown;
+#endif
 }
 
 #ifdef DEBUG
diff --git a/src/nano.c b/src/nano.c
index 6e55f49..40ea409 100644
--- a/src/nano.c
+++ b/src/nano.c
@@ -2251,6 +2251,37 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
 #endif
     }
 
+    /* Initialize curses mode.  If this fails, get out. */
+    if (initscr() == NULL)
+	exit(1);
+
+    /* Initialize all the windows based on the current screen
+     * dimensions. */
+    window_init();
+
+
+#if !defined(NANO_TINY) && defined(HAVE_KEY_DEFINED)
+    const char *keyvalue;
+    /* Ask ncurses for the key codes for Control+Left/Right/Up/Down. */
+    keyvalue = tigetstr("kLFT5");
+    if (keyvalue != 0 && keyvalue != (char *)-1)
+	controlleft = key_defined(keyvalue);
+    keyvalue = tigetstr("kRIT5");
+    if (keyvalue != 0 && keyvalue != (char *)-1)
+	controlright = key_defined(keyvalue);
+    keyvalue = tigetstr("kUP5");
+    if (keyvalue != 0 && keyvalue != (char *)-1)
+	controlup = key_defined(keyvalue);
+    keyvalue = tigetstr("kDN5");
+    if (keyvalue != 0 && keyvalue != (char *)-1)
+	controldown = key_defined(keyvalue);
+#endif
+
+#ifndef USE_SLANG
+    /* Tell ncurses to pass the Esc key quickly. */
+    set_escdelay(50);
+#endif
+
     /* Set up the function and shortcut lists.  This needs to be done
      * before reading the rcfile, to be able to rebind/unbind keys. */
     shortcut_init();
@@ -2475,10 +2506,6 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
     if (tabsize == -1)
 	tabsize = WIDTH_OF_TAB;
 
-    /* Initialize curses mode.  If this fails, get out. */
-    if (initscr() == NULL)
-	exit(1);
-
     /* Set up the terminal state. */
     terminal_init();
 
@@ -2488,11 +2515,6 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
 #ifdef DEBUG
     fprintf(stderr, "Main: set up windows\n");
 #endif
-
-    /* Initialize all the windows based on the current screen
-     * dimensions. */
-    window_init();
-
     /* Set up the signal handlers. */
     signal_init();
 
@@ -2510,28 +2532,6 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
     interface_color_pair[FUNCTION_TAG] = A_NORMAL;
 #endif
 
-#if !defined(NANO_TINY) && defined(HAVE_KEY_DEFINED)
-    const char *keyvalue;
-    /* Ask ncurses for the key codes for Control+Left/Right/Up/Down. */
-    keyvalue = tigetstr("kLFT5");
-    if (keyvalue != 0 && keyvalue != (char *)-1)
-	controlleft = key_defined(keyvalue);
-    keyvalue = tigetstr("kRIT5");
-    if (keyvalue != 0 && keyvalue != (char *)-1)
-	controlright = key_defined(keyvalue);
-    keyvalue = tigetstr("kUP5");
-    if (keyvalue != 0 && keyvalue != (char *)-1)
-	controlup = key_defined(keyvalue);
-    keyvalue = tigetstr("kDN5");
-    if (keyvalue != 0 && keyvalue != (char *)-1)
-	controldown = key_defined(keyvalue);
-#endif
-
-#ifndef USE_SLANG
-    /* Tell ncurses to pass the Esc key quickly. */
-    set_escdelay(50);
-#endif
-
 #ifdef DEBUG
     fprintf(stderr, "Main: open file\n");
 #endif
diff --git a/src/winio.c b/src/winio.c
index bcfb8a2..607b885 100644
--- a/src/winio.c
+++ b/src/winio.c
@@ -396,14 +396,6 @@ int parse_kbinput(WINDOW *win)
 		    case 'B':
 			retval = KEY_END;
 			break;
-#ifndef NANO_TINY
-		    case 'C':
-			retval = controlright;
-			break;
-		    case 'D':
-			retval = controlleft;
-			break;
-#endif
 		}
 		double_esc = FALSE;
 		escapes = 0;
@@ -493,17 +485,6 @@ int parse_kbinput(WINDOW *win)
     if (retval == ERR)
 	return ERR;
 
-#ifndef NANO_TINY
-    if (retval == controlleft)
-	return sc_seq_or(do_prev_word_void, 0);
-    else if (retval == controlright)
-	return sc_seq_or(do_next_word_void, 0);
-    else if (retval == controlup)
-	return sc_seq_or(do_prev_block, 0);
-    else if (retval == controldown)
-	return sc_seq_or(do_next_block, 0);
-#endif
-
     /* When not running under X, check for the bare arrow keys whether
      * the Ctrl key is being held together with them. */
     if (console && (retval == KEY_UP || retval == KEY_DOWN ||