diff --git a/lisp/emacs-lisp/rmc.el b/lisp/emacs-lisp/rmc.el
index bfd7434be9a..d1241a26b68 100644
--- a/lisp/emacs-lisp/rmc.el
+++ b/lisp/emacs-lisp/rmc.el
@@ -191,7 +191,7 @@ read-multiple-choice--short-answers
          tchar buf wrong-char answer)
     (save-window-excursion
       (save-excursion
-        (if show-help
+        (if (and show-help (not (eq show-help 'no)))
             (setq buf (rmc--show-help prompt help-string show-help
                                       choices altered-names)))
 	(while (not tchar)