diff --git a/lisp/international/textsec.el b/lisp/international/textsec.el
index 1540f806e3b..e69e7c19842 100644
--- a/lisp/international/textsec.el
+++ b/lisp/international/textsec.el
@@ -320,7 +320,8 @@ affected by bidi controls in STRING."
     ;; state at end of STRING which could then affect the following
     ;; text.
     (insert string "a1א:!")
-    (let ((pos (bidi-find-overridden-directionality 1 (point-max) nil)))
+    (let ((pos (bidi-find-overridden-directionality
+                (point-min) (point-max) nil)))
       (and (fixnump pos)
            (1- pos)))))