diff --git a/crates/engine/src/lisp/input.rs b/crates/engine/src/lisp/input.rs
index fca32e5b8..d12dcbbce 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/lisp/input.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/lisp/input.rs
@@ -67,6 +67,12 @@ impl GetRequest {
         let mut p = Prompt::new(message, accept).base_opt(base);
         p.keywords = self.initget.keywords.clone();
         p.raw = true;
+        // `entsel`/`nentsel` pick one object. The routine writes the message, so the prompt says
+        // so itself rather than being read for the word "Select" -- with a message of its own
+        // ("\nSelect the second line: ", or no mention of selecting at all) the pick box went
+        // missing, while the same call without one got it from the default "Select object: "
+        // (#1598).
+        p.picks_one = matches!(self.kind, GetKind::EntSel);
         p
     }
 
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/lisp/tests.rs b/crates/engine/src/lisp/tests.rs
index e8eb135b9..04d78f893 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/lisp/tests.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/lisp/tests.rs
@@ -485,6 +485,37 @@ fn hostile_lisp_never_panics() {
     assert!(!s.lisp_running());
 }
 
+/// `entsel` and `nentsel` pick one object, so the cursor shows the pick box at their prompt. It
+/// was read off the message's first word, and a routine's own message begins with a newline -- so
+/// the same call showed the pick box without a message and lost it with one (#1598).
+#[test]
+fn an_entsel_prompt_picks_objects_whatever_its_message_says() {
+    let mut s = session();
+    // No message: the default "Select object: ".
+    s.cmdline("(nentsel)").unwrap();
+    assert!(s.current_prompt().unwrap().picks_objects(), "{}", s.prompt_text());
+    s.cancel();
+
+    // The reported case: the routine's own message, starting with a newline.
+    s.cmdline("(nentsel \"\nSelect second line or polyline: \")").unwrap();
+    assert!(s.current_prompt().unwrap().picks_objects(), "{}", s.prompt_text());
+    s.cancel();
+
+    // Wording that never says "select" picks an object just the same.
+    s.cmdline("(entsel \"\nPick a line: \")").unwrap();
+    assert!(s.current_prompt().unwrap().picks_objects(), "{}", s.prompt_text());
+    s.cancel();
+
+    // A point prompt is not a pick, and keeps its point modifiers -- including one whose own
+    // message happens to begin with the word the built-in commands are read by. `picks_one` says
+    // which calls pick, so the wording is only ever read where the engine wrote it (#1635 review).
+    for point in ["(getpoint \"\nSpecify a point: \")", "(getpoint \"\nSelect a point: \")", "(getpoint \"Select a point: \")"] {
+        s.cmdline(point).unwrap();
+        assert!(!s.current_prompt().unwrap().picks_objects(), "{point}: {}", s.prompt_text());
+        s.cancel();
+    }
+}
+
 #[test]
 fn a_waiting_routine_is_a_prompt_with_a_rubber_band() {
     let mut s = session();
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/prompt.rs b/crates/engine/src/prompt.rs
index a41bcb705..b9c45eae7 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/prompt.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/prompt.rs
@@ -62,6 +62,10 @@ pub struct Prompt {
     /// pointer boxes.
     #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "std::ops::Not::not")]
     pub distance: bool,
+    /// The prompt picks one object whatever it says: an AutoLISP `entsel`/`nentsel`, whose message
+    /// the routine writes, so it cannot be read for the word "Select" (#1598).
+    #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "std::ops::Not::not")]
+    pub picks_one: bool,
 }
 
 /// Parse `@distance<angle` (relative polar), returning `(distance, angle in radians)`.
@@ -128,11 +132,14 @@ impl Prompt {
         self.default = Some(d.into());
         self
     }
-    /// The prompt picks objects: a "Select objects" prompt, or a point prompt whose click selects
-    /// one object ("Select object to offset", "Select first line"…, the commands that pick a
-    /// single object themselves). The UI shows the pick box there.
+    /// The prompt picks objects: a "Select objects" prompt, one that says it picks a single object
+    /// ([`Prompt::picks_one`]), or a point prompt whose click selects one ("Select object to
+    /// offset", "Select first line"…, the commands that pick a single object themselves). The UI
+    /// shows the pick box there. The wording is only read where the engine wrote it: a routine
+    /// writes its own message (`raw`), which may open with "Select" and still ask for a point,
+    /// and says through `picks_one` when it picks instead (#1635 review).
     pub fn picks_objects(&self) -> bool {
-        self.accept.select || (self.accept.point && self.message.starts_with("Select"))
+        self.picks_one || self.accept.select || (self.accept.point && !self.raw && self.message.starts_with("Select"))
     }
     /// "Specify next point or [Undo/Close] <default>:".
     pub fn display(&self) -> String {