diff --git a/src/static/js/ace2_inner.js b/src/static/js/ace2_inner.js
index 7ab4b7b59..8c03fa662 100644
--- a/src/static/js/ace2_inner.js
+++ b/src/static/js/ace2_inner.js
@@ -3710,7 +3710,12 @@ function Ace2Inner(){
           documentAttributeManager: documentAttributeManager,
           evt:evt
         });
-        specialHandled = (specialHandledInHook&&specialHandledInHook.length>0)?specialHandledInHook[0]:specialHandled;
+
+        // if any hook returned true, set specialHandled with true
+        if (specialHandledInHook) {
+          specialHandled = _.contains(specialHandledInHook, true);
+        }
+
         if ((!specialHandled) && altKey && isTypeForSpecialKey && keyCode == 120){
           // Alt F9 focuses on the File Menu and/or editbar.
           // Note that while most editors use Alt F10 this is not desirable