diff --git a/default/bash/init b/default/bash/init
index e9228edb..dba369e0 100644
--- a/default/bash/init
+++ b/default/bash/init
@@ -3,6 +3,9 @@ if command -v mise &> /dev/null; then
 fi
 
 if command -v starship &> /dev/null; then
+  # clear stale readline state before rendering prompt (prevents artifacts in prompt after abnormal exits like SIGQUIT)
+  __sanitize_prompt() { printf '\r\033[K'; }
+  PROMPT_COMMAND="__sanitize_prompt${PROMPT_COMMAND:+;$PROMPT_COMMAND}"
   eval "$(starship init bash)"
 fi