diff --git a/top/top.c b/top/top.c
index e85d020b..d6125004 100644
--- a/top/top.c
+++ b/top/top.c
@@ -4869,8 +4869,13 @@ static void wins_tag_cmdline (void) {
       putp(fmtmk("%s%s", tg2(0, SCREEN_ROWS + 1), Cap_clr_eos));
       putp(fmtmk("%s%s", tg2(0, SCREEN_ROWS + 1), Cap_norm));
       fputs(p, stdout);
+#ifdef TAGGED_BRIEF
+   } else
+      TAGGED_TOSS;
+#else
    }
    TAGGED_KEEP;
+#endif
 } // end: wins_tag_cmdline
 
 
@@ -4907,8 +4912,13 @@ static void wins_tag_generic (void) {
       putp(fmtmk("%s%s", tg2(0, SCREEN_ROWS + 1), Cap_clr_eos));
       putp(fmtmk("%s%s", tg2(0, SCREEN_ROWS + 1), Cap_norm));
       fputs(p, stdout);
+#ifdef TAGGED_BRIEF
+   } else
+      TAGGED_TOSS;
+#else
    }
    TAGGED_KEEP;
+#endif
 } // end: wins_tag_generic
 
 
diff --git a/top/top.h b/top/top.h
index 3de0822d..a7a1caa8 100644
--- a/top/top.h
+++ b/top/top.h
@@ -61,6 +61,7 @@
 //#define SCROLLVAR_NO            /* disable intra-column horizontal scrolls */
 //#define SCROLLV_BY_1            /* when scrolling left/right do not move 8 */
 //#define STRINGCASENO            /* case insenstive compare/locate versions */
+//#define TAGGED_BRIEF            /* zap Ctrl bottom window when target dies */
 //#define TERMIOS_ONLY            /* use native input only (just limp along) */
 //#define TOG4_NOFORCE            /* no force 2 abreast mode with '4' toggle */
 //#define TOG4_NOTRUNC            /* ensure no truncation for 2 abreast mode */