diff --git a/src/Terminal.ts b/src/Terminal.ts
index b27d93d6..a5841c9d 100644
--- a/src/Terminal.ts
+++ b/src/Terminal.ts
@@ -621,6 +621,7 @@ export class Terminal extends EventEmitter implements ITerminal, IInputHandlingT
 
     // Create main element container
     this.element = this._document.createElement('div');
+    this.element.dir = 'ltr';   //xterm.css assumes LTR
     this.element.classList.add('terminal');
     this.element.classList.add('xterm');
     this.element.setAttribute('tabindex', '0');