diff --git a/qutebrowser/keyinput/keyutils.py b/qutebrowser/keyinput/keyutils.py
index 7f0e669a6..1bd9ee737 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/keyinput/keyutils.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/keyinput/keyutils.py
@@ -30,6 +30,10 @@ from PyQt5.QtGui import QKeySequence, QKeyEvent
 from qutebrowser.utils import utils
 
 
+def is_printable(key):
+    return key <= 0xff
+
+
 def _key_to_string(key):
     """Convert a Qt::Key member to a meaningful name.
 
@@ -227,7 +231,7 @@ class KeyInfo:
 
         key_string = _key_to_string(self.key)
 
-        if len(key_string) == 1:
+        if is_printable(self.key) and self.key != Qt.Key_Space:
             category = unicodedata.category(key_string)
             is_special_char = (category == 'Cc')
         else:
@@ -254,8 +258,7 @@ class KeyInfo:
         """Get the text which would be displayed when pressing this key."""
         if self.key == Qt.Key_Space:
             return ' '
-        elif self.key > 0xff:
-            # Unprintable keys
+        elif not is_printable(self.key):
             return ''
 
         text = QKeySequence(self.key).toString()
@@ -386,7 +389,7 @@ class KeySequence:
         modifiers = ev.modifiers()
 
         if (modifiers == Qt.ShiftModifier and
-                len(ev.text()) == 1 and
+                is_printable(ev.key()) and
                 unicodedata.category(ev.text()) != 'Lu'):
             modifiers = Qt.KeyboardModifiers()
 
diff --git a/qutebrowser/keyinput/modeparsers.py b/qutebrowser/keyinput/modeparsers.py
index 42eeb53f8..d56d7dcd1 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/keyinput/modeparsers.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/keyinput/modeparsers.py
@@ -280,13 +280,12 @@ class RegisterKeyParser(keyparser.CommandKeyParser):
         if match:
             return match
 
-        key = e.text()
-
-        if key == '' or not str(keyutils.KeyInfo.from_event(e)):
+        if not keyutils.is_printable(e.key()):
             # this is not a proper register key, let it pass and keep going
-            # FIXME can we simplify this when we refactor keyutils.py?
             return QKeySequence.NoMatch
 
+        key = e.text()
+
         tabbed_browser = objreg.get('tabbed-browser', scope='window',
                                     window=self._win_id)
         macro_recorder = objreg.get('macro-recorder')