diff --git a/src/nvim/search.c b/src/nvim/search.c
index b58707a3c1..7a4b585a93 100644
--- a/src/nvim/search.c
+++ b/src/nvim/search.c
@@ -3445,9 +3445,11 @@ again:
       }
     curwin->w_cursor = end_pos;
 
-    /* If we now have the same text as before reset "do_include" and try
-     * again. */
-    if (equalpos(start_pos, old_start) && equalpos(end_pos, old_end)) {
+    // If we are in Visual mode and now have the same text as before set
+    // "do_include" and try again.
+    if (VIsual_active
+        && equalpos(start_pos, old_start)
+        && equalpos(end_pos, old_end)) {
       do_include = TRUE;
       curwin->w_cursor = old_start;
       count = count_arg;
diff --git a/src/nvim/testdir/test_textobjects.vim b/src/nvim/testdir/test_textobjects.vim
index 17602fbe26..52c0c3698e 100644
--- a/src/nvim/testdir/test_textobjects.vim
+++ b/src/nvim/testdir/test_textobjects.vim
@@ -121,6 +121,23 @@ func Test_string_html_objects()
   enew!
 endfunc
 
+func Test_empty_html_tag()
+  new
+  call setline(1, '<div></div>')
+  normal 0citxxx
+  call assert_equal('<div>xxx</div>', getline(1))
+
+  call setline(1, '<div></div>')
+  normal 0f<cityyy
+  call assert_equal('<div>yyy</div>', getline(1))
+
+  call setline(1, '<div></div>')
+  normal 0f<vitsaaa
+  call assert_equal('aaa', getline(1))
+
+  bwipe!
+endfunc
+
 " Tests for match() and matchstr()
 func Test_match()
   call assert_equal("b", matchstr("abcd", ".", 0, 2))