diff --git a/scripts/kconfig/conf.c b/scripts/kconfig/conf.c
index 59656d39b671..11a4e4509833 100644
--- a/scripts/kconfig/conf.c
+++ b/scripts/kconfig/conf.c
@@ -358,8 +358,11 @@ static void conf(struct menu *menu)
 
 		switch (prop->type) {
 		case P_MENU:
-			if (input_mode == silentoldconfig &&
-			    rootEntry != menu) {
+			/*
+			 * Except in oldaskconfig mode, we show only menus that
+			 * contain new symbols.
+			 */
+			if (input_mode != oldaskconfig && rootEntry != menu) {
 				check_conf(menu);
 				return;
 			}
@@ -660,7 +663,7 @@ int main(int ac, char **av)
 	case oldaskconfig:
 		rootEntry = &rootmenu;
 		conf(&rootmenu);
-		input_mode = silentoldconfig;
+		input_mode = oldconfig;
 		/* fall through */
 	case oldconfig:
 	case listnewconfig: