diff --git a/lisp/emacs-lisp/map-ynp.el b/lisp/emacs-lisp/map-ynp.el
index b603f2e6d0b..d769b7ace64 100644
--- a/lisp/emacs-lisp/map-ynp.el
+++ b/lisp/emacs-lisp/map-ynp.el
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ The function's value is the number of actions taken."
 				(key-description (vector help-char)))
 		       (if minibuffer-auto-raise
 			   (raise-frame (window-frame (minibuffer-window))))
-		       (setq char (read-event))
+		       (setq char (read-key))
 		       ;; Show the answer to the question.
 		       (message "%s(y, n, !, ., q, %sor %s) %s"
 				prompt user-keys