diff --git a/static/js/input_pill.js b/static/js/input_pill.js
index 003f92a929..2a0ba82e93 100644
--- a/static/js/input_pill.js
+++ b/static/js/input_pill.js
@@ -309,7 +309,7 @@ exports.create = function (opts) {
             var text = (e.originalEvent || e).clipboardData.getData('text/plain');
 
             // insert text manually
-            document.execCommand("insertHTML", false, text);
+            document.execCommand("insertText", false, text);
 
             funcs.insertManyPills(store.$input.text().trim());
         });