diff --git a/crates/gpui/src/interactive.rs b/crates/gpui/src/interactive.rs
index 4aa0715144..79a586983f 100644
--- a/crates/gpui/src/interactive.rs
+++ b/crates/gpui/src/interactive.rs
@@ -26,10 +26,8 @@ pub struct KeyDownEvent {
     /// Whether the key is currently held down.
     pub is_held: bool,
 
-    /// Whether the modifiers are excessive for producing this character.
-    /// When false, the modifiers are essential for character input (e.g., AltGr),
-    /// and character input should be prioritized over keybindings.
-    /// When true, the modifiers are for keybindings (e.g., Ctrl+A).
+    /// Whether to prefer character input over keybindings for this keystroke.
+    /// In some cases, like AltGr on Windows, modifiers are significant for character input.
     pub prefer_character_input: bool,
 }
 
diff --git a/crates/gpui/src/platform/windows/events.rs b/crates/gpui/src/platform/windows/events.rs
index ff88bea3fc..a8e5a4300f 100644
--- a/crates/gpui/src/platform/windows/events.rs
+++ b/crates/gpui/src/platform/windows/events.rs
@@ -1387,6 +1387,8 @@ fn should_prefer_character_input(vkey: VIRTUAL_KEY, scan_code: u16) -> bool {
         return false;
     }
 
+    // Workaround for some bug that makes the compiler think keyboard_state is still zeroed out
+    let keyboard_state = std::hint::black_box(keyboard_state);
     let ctrl_down = (keyboard_state[VK_CONTROL.0 as usize] & 0x80) != 0;
     let alt_down = (keyboard_state[VK_MENU.0 as usize] & 0x80) != 0;
     let win_down = (keyboard_state[VK_LWIN.0 as usize] & 0x80) != 0