diff --git a/lisp/help-macro.el b/lisp/help-macro.el
index e88a3ffbf39..55fc7a126fe 100644
--- a/lisp/help-macro.el
+++ b/lisp/help-macro.el
@@ -124,6 +124,7 @@ and then returns."
 					 prev-frame))
 				(setq new-frame (window-frame (selected-window))
 				      config nil))
+			   (setq buffer-read-only nil)
 			   (erase-buffer)
 			   (insert help-screen)
 			   (help-mode)