diff --git a/.github/workflows/windows_test.yml b/.github/workflows/windows_test.yml
index 1547036b4f..b9e993ac57 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/windows_test.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/windows_test.yml
@@ -57,6 +57,7 @@ jobs:
             -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release \
             -DUSE_DOCTEST=off \
             -DUSE_PANDOC=off \
+            -DUSE_READLINE=off \
             -DUSE_QRCODEGEN=on
 
       - name: make
diff --git a/src/lib/notcurses.c b/src/lib/notcurses.c
index 36d81bdbae..1301b9ac52 100644
--- a/src/lib/notcurses.c
+++ b/src/lib/notcurses.c
@@ -1126,6 +1126,9 @@ notcurses* notcurses_core_init(const notcurses_options* opts, FILE* outfp){
   // don't set loglevel until we've acquired the signal handler, lest we
   // change the loglevel out from under a running instance
   loglevel = opts->loglevel;
+#ifndef __MINGW64__
+// windows doesn't really have a concept of terminfo. you might ssh into other
+// machines, but they'll use the terminfo installed thereon (putty, etc.).
   int termerr;
   if(setupterm(opts->termtype, ret->ttyfd, &termerr) != OK){
     logpanic("Terminfo error %d (see terminfo(3ncurses))\n", termerr);
@@ -1137,6 +1140,9 @@ notcurses* notcurses_core_init(const notcurses_options* opts, FILE* outfp){
     return NULL;
   }
   const char* shortname_term = termname(); // longname() is also available
+#else
+  const char* shortname_term = "Windows Terminal";
+#endif
   ret->rstate.logendy = -1;
   ret->rstate.logendx = -1;
   ret->rstate.x = ret->rstate.y = -1;