diff --git a/core/core-os-linux.el b/core/core-os-linux.el
index a7ace3d18..9c67c94e2 100644
--- a/core/core-os-linux.el
+++ b/core/core-os-linux.el
@@ -1,5 +1,8 @@
 ;;; core-os-linux.el --- Debian-specific settings
 
+;; Treat clipboard input as UTF-8 string first; compound text next, etc.
+(setq x-select-request-type '(UTF8_STRING COMPOUND_TEXT TEXT STRING))
+
 (defun doom-open-with (&optional app-name path)
   (interactive)
   (error "Not yet implemented"))