diff --git a/src/Terminal.ts b/src/Terminal.ts
index 924260ca..b7906ecc 100644
--- a/src/Terminal.ts
+++ b/src/Terminal.ts
@@ -622,6 +622,7 @@ 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');