diff --git a/libtmux/pane.py b/libtmux/pane.py
index e39855437..4adbc4f37 100644
--- a/libtmux/pane.py
+++ b/libtmux/pane.py
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ def cmd(self, cmd, *args, **kwargs):
 
         return self.server.cmd(cmd, *args, **kwargs)
 
-    def send_keys(self, cmd, enter=True, suppress_history=True):
+    def send_keys(self, cmd, enter=True, suppress_history=True, literal=False):
         """
         ``$ tmux send-keys`` to the pane.
 
@@ -108,9 +108,15 @@ def send_keys(self, cmd, enter=True, suppress_history=True):
             Send enter after sending the input, default True.
         suppress_history : bool, optional
             Don't add these keys to the shell history, default True.
+        literal : bool, optional
+            Send keys literally, default True.
         """
         prefix = ' ' if suppress_history else ''
-        self.cmd('send-keys', prefix + cmd)
+
+        if literal:
+            self.cmd('send-keys', '-l', prefix + cmd)
+        else:
+            self.cmd('send-keys', prefix + cmd)
 
         if enter:
             self.enter()
diff --git a/tests/test_pane.py b/tests/test_pane.py
index 24e3e91a3..bcd74d183 100644
--- a/tests/test_pane.py
+++ b/tests/test_pane.py
@@ -25,6 +25,17 @@ def test_resize_pane(session):
     assert int(pane1['pane_height']) == 3
 
 
+def test_send_keys(session):
+    pane = session.attached_window.attached_pane
+    pane.send_keys('c-c', literal=True)
+
+    pane_contents = '\n'.join(pane.cmd('capture-pane', '-p').stdout)
+    assert 'c-c' in pane_contents
+
+    pane.send_keys('c-a', literal=False)
+    assert 'c-a' not in pane_contents, 'should not print to pane'
+
+
 def test_set_height(session):
     window = session.new_window(window_name='test_set_height')
     window.split_window()