diff --git a/jrnl/cli.py b/jrnl/cli.py
index 20e39f9a..50601555 100644
--- a/jrnl/cli.py
+++ b/jrnl/cli.py
@@ -161,7 +161,11 @@ def run(manual_args=None):
         elif config['editor']:
             raw = util.get_text_from_editor(config)
         else:
-            raw = util.py23_read("[Compose Entry; " +  _exit_multiline_code + " to finish writing]\n")
+            try:
+                raw = util.py23_read("[Compose Entry; " +  _exit_multiline_code + " to finish writing]\n")
+            except KeyboardInterrupt:
+                util.prompt("[Entry NOT saved to journal.]")
+                sys.exit(0)
         if raw:
             args.text = [raw]
         else:
diff --git a/jrnl/util.py b/jrnl/util.py
index 66ef46f4..5c0eb476 100644
--- a/jrnl/util.py
+++ b/jrnl/util.py
@@ -73,11 +73,7 @@ def py23_input(msg=""):
     return STDIN.readline().strip()
 
 def py23_read(msg=""):
-    STDERR.write(u(msg))
-    try:
-        return STDIN.read()
-    except KeyboardInterrupt:
-        sys.exit(0)
+    return STDIN.read()
 
 def yesno(prompt, default=True):
     prompt = prompt.strip() + (" [Y/n]" if default else " [y/N]")