diff --git a/.vimrc b/.vimrc
index 80c3182..edee48d 100644
--- a/.vimrc
+++ b/.vimrc
@@ -39,3 +39,13 @@ set hidden
 nnoremap <C-N> :bnext<CR>
 nnoremap <C-P> :bprev<CR>
 
+" leave insert mode quickly
+if ! has('gui_running')
+    set ttimeoutlen=10
+    augroup FastEscape
+        autocmd!
+        au InsertEnter * set timeoutlen=0
+        au InsertLeave * set timeoutlen=1000
+    augroup END
+endif
+