diff --git a/watch.c b/watch.c
index 265daa6d..8de12b2c 100644
--- a/watch.c
+++ b/watch.c
@@ -217,8 +217,6 @@ static void process_ansi(FILE * fp)
 			break;
 		}
 		if ((c < '0' || c > '9') && c != ';') {
-			while (--i >= 0)
-				ungetc(buf[i], fp);
 			return;
 		}
 		buf[i] = (char)c;