diff --git a/lisp/emulation/cua-rect.el b/lisp/emulation/cua-rect.el
index 65ae2f192fa..7df45e705d3 100644
--- a/lisp/emulation/cua-rect.el
+++ b/lisp/emulation/cua-rect.el
@@ -486,10 +486,8 @@ Activates the region if needed.  Only lasts until the region is deactivated."
     (cua--deactivate t))
   (setq cua--last-rectangle nil)
   (mouse-set-point event)
-  ;; FIX ME -- need to calculate virtual column.
-  (cua-set-rectangle-mark)
-  (setq cua--buffer-and-point-before-command nil)
-  (setq cua--mouse-last-pos nil))
+  (activate-mark)
+  (cua-rectangle-mark-mode))
 
 (defun cua-mouse-save-then-kill-rectangle (event arg)
   "Expand rectangle to mouse click position and copy rectangle.