diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 2161a9a..e7cebbd 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -139,6 +139,7 @@ require('telescope').setup{
     },
     prompt_position = "bottom",
     prompt_prefix = ">",
+    initial_mode = "insert",
     selection_strategy = "reset",
     sorting_strategy = "descending",
     layout_strategy = "horizontal",
@@ -189,6 +190,7 @@ EOF
 |------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------|
 | `prompt_position`      | Where the prompt should be located.                   | top/bottom                 |
 | `prompt_prefix`        | What should the prompt prefix be.                     | string                     |
+| `initial_mode`         | The initial mode when a prompt is opened.             | insert/normal              |
 | `sorting_strategy`     | Where first selection should be located.              | descending/ascending       |
 | `layout_strategy`      | How the telescope is drawn.                           | [supported layouts](https://github.com/nvim-telescope/telescope.nvim/wiki/Layouts) |
 | `winblend`             | How transparent is the telescope window should be.    | NUM                        |
diff --git a/lua/telescope/config.lua b/lua/telescope/config.lua
index 6403a54..bfe8a6e 100644
--- a/lua/telescope/config.lua
+++ b/lua/telescope/config.lua
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ function config.set_defaults(defaults)
   set("results_width", 0.8)
 
   set("prompt_prefix", ">")
+  set("initial_mode", "insert")
 
   set("border", {})
   set("borderchars", { '─', '│', '─', '│', '╭', '╮', '╯', '╰'})
diff --git a/lua/telescope/pickers.lua b/lua/telescope/pickers.lua
index d129737..319fcd6 100644
--- a/lua/telescope/pickers.lua
+++ b/lua/telescope/pickers.lua
@@ -72,6 +72,7 @@ function Picker:new(opts)
     preview_title = get_default(opts.preview_title, "Preview"),
 
     prompt_prefix = get_default(opts.prompt_prefix, config.values.prompt_prefix),
+    initial_mode = get_default(opts.initial_mode, config.values.initial_mode),
 
     default_text = opts.default_text,
     get_status_text = get_default(opts.get_status_text, config.values.get_status_text),
@@ -626,7 +627,11 @@ function Picker:find()
     vim.api.nvim_buf_set_lines(prompt_bufnr, 0, 1, false, {self.default_text})
   end
 
-  vim.cmd [[startinsert!]]
+  if self.initial_mode == "insert" then
+    vim.cmd [[startinsert!]]
+  elseif self.initial_mode ~= "normal" then
+    error("Invalid setting for initial_mode: " .. self.initial_mode)
+  end
 end
 
 function Picker:hide_preview()