diff --git a/top/top.c b/top/top.c
index 80c2297f..424bfd72 100644
--- a/top/top.c
+++ b/top/top.c
@@ -3892,6 +3892,7 @@ signify_that:
       if (Frames_signal) goto signify_that;
       key = iokey(1);
       if (key < 1) goto signify_that;
+      if (key == kbd_ESC) break;
 
       switch (key) {
          case 'S':
@@ -3950,7 +3951,7 @@ signify_that:
       capsmk(w);
    } while (key != kbdAPPLY && key != kbdABORT);
 
-   if (key == kbdABORT) wins_clrhlp(w, 0);
+   if (key == kbdABORT || key == kbd_ESC) wins_clrhlp(w, 0);
 
  #undef kbdABORT
  #undef kbdAPPLY
diff --git a/top/top_nls.c b/top/top_nls.c
index 036d93c0..87083d27 100644
--- a/top/top_nls.c
+++ b/top/top_nls.c
@@ -635,7 +635,7 @@ static void build_uniq_nlstab (void) {
       "   4~2 = blue, ~1  5~2 = magenta,~1  6~2 = cyan, ~1  7~2 = white\n"
       "\n"
       "3) Then use these keys when finished:\n"
-      "   'q' to abort changes to window '~1%s~2'\n"
+      "   'q' or <Esc> to abort changes to window '~1%s~2'\n"
       "   'a' or 'w' to commit & change another, <Enter> to commit and end ");
 
 /* Translation Hint: