diff --git a/doc/basic.texi b/doc/basic.texi
index 4485665..92e8d9e 100644
--- a/doc/basic.texi
+++ b/doc/basic.texi
@@ -552,6 +552,12 @@
 @kindex C-t
 Transpose character.
 
+@item C-v
+@kindex C-v
+Interpret following character literally. Do not treat it specially.
+This can be used to, e.g., type in a literal @kbd{?} rather than do
+help completion.
+
 @end table
 
 @node CLI Advanced Commands
@@ -593,4 +599,7 @@
 the line.  Typing @kbd{?} at any point in the line will show possible
 completions.
 
+To enter an actual @kbd{?} character rather show completions, e.g. to
+enter into a regexp, use @kbd{@key{C}-v ?}.
+
 @end table
diff --git a/lib/vty.c b/lib/vty.c
index afaf2b0..7ca8354 100644
--- a/lib/vty.c
+++ b/lib/vty.c
@@ -1386,8 +1386,9 @@
 
 #define CONTROL(X)  ((X) - '@')
 #define VTY_NORMAL     0
-#define VTY_PRE_ESCAPE 1
-#define VTY_ESCAPE     2
+#define VTY_PRE_ESCAPE 1  /* Esc seen */
+#define VTY_ESCAPE     2  /* ANSI terminal escape (Esc-[) seen */
+#define VTY_LITERAL    3  /* Next char taken as literal */
 
 /* Escape character command map. */
 static void
@@ -1515,7 +1516,14 @@
 	  vty_escape_map (buf[i], vty);
 	  continue;
 	}
-
+      
+      if (vty->escape == VTY_LITERAL)
+        {
+          vty_self_insert (vty, buf[i]);
+          vty->escape = VTY_NORMAL;
+          continue;
+        }
+      
       /* Pre-escape status. */
       if (vty->escape == VTY_PRE_ESCAPE)
 	{
@@ -1587,6 +1595,9 @@
 	case CONTROL('U'):
 	  vty_kill_line_from_beginning (vty);
 	  break;
+        case CONTROL('V'):
+          vty->escape = VTY_LITERAL;
+          break;
 	case CONTROL('W'):
 	  vty_backward_kill_word (vty);
 	  break;