diff --git a/xpra/server/window/window_source.py b/xpra/server/window/window_source.py
index a91468d762..3c81479558 100644
--- a/xpra/server/window/window_source.py
+++ b/xpra/server/window/window_source.py
@@ -53,6 +53,7 @@
 
 INITIAL_QUALITY : int = envint("XPRA_INITIAL_QUALITY", 65)
 INITIAL_SPEED : int = envint("XPRA_INITIAL_SPEED", 40)
+TEXT_QUALITY = envint("XPRA_TEXT_QUALITY", 100)
 
 LOCKED_BATCH_DELAY : int = envint("XPRA_LOCKED_BATCH_DELAY", 1000)
 
@@ -2009,6 +2010,8 @@ def assign_sq_options(self, options, speed_pct : int=100, quality_pct : int=100)
             if self._fixed_quality>0:
                 quality = self._fixed_quality
             else:
+                text_hint = self.content_type.find("text") >= 0
+                quality = TEXT_QUALITY if text_hint else self._current_quality
                 quality = self._current_quality
                 if packets_backlog is None:
                     packets_backlog = self.get_packets_backlog()