diff --git a/redo/area.go b/redo/area.go
index cd7f3e1..1c2141f 100644
--- a/redo/area.go
+++ b/redo/area.go
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ type Area interface {
 
 	// OpenTextFieldAt opens a TextField with the top-left corner at the given coordinates of the Area.
 	// It panics if the coordinates fall outside the Area.
-	// Any text previously in the TextField is removed.
+	// Any text previously in the TextField (be it by the user or by a call to SetTextFieldText()) is retained.
 	// The TextField receives the input focus so the user can type things; when the TextField loses the input focus, it hides itself and signals the event set by OnTextFieldDismissed.
 	// TODO escape key
 	OpenTextFieldAt(x int, y int)
diff --git a/redo/area_unix.go b/redo/area_unix.go
index ae64c83..8d058b1 100644
--- a/redo/area_unix.go
+++ b/redo/area_unix.go
@@ -114,7 +114,6 @@ func (a *area) OpenTextFieldAt(x, y int) {
 	}
 	a.textfieldx = x
 	a.textfieldy = y
-	a.SetTextFieldText("")
 	// we disabled this for the initial Area show; we don't need to anymore
 	C.gtk_widget_set_no_show_all(a.textfieldw, C.FALSE)
 	C.gtk_widget_show_all(a.textfieldw)