diff --git a/autoload/nerdtree/ui_glue.vim b/autoload/nerdtree/ui_glue.vim
index 2478fd3..90ce872 100644
--- a/autoload/nerdtree/ui_glue.vim
+++ b/autoload/nerdtree/ui_glue.vim
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ let g:loaded_nerdtree_ui_glue_autoload = 1
 function! nerdtree#ui_glue#createDefaultBindings()
     let s = '<SNR>' . s:SID() . '_'
 
-    call NERDTreeAddKeyMap({ 'key': '<MiddleRelease>', 'scope': "all", 'callback': s."handleMiddleMouse" })
+    call NERDTreeAddKeyMap({ 'key': '<MiddleMouse>', 'scope': 'all', 'callback': s . 'handleMiddleMouse' })
     call NERDTreeAddKeyMap({ 'key': '<LeftRelease>', 'scope': "all", 'callback': s."handleLeftClick" })
     call NERDTreeAddKeyMap({ 'key': '<2-LeftMouse>', 'scope': "DirNode", 'callback': s."activateDirNode" })
     call NERDTreeAddKeyMap({ 'key': '<2-LeftMouse>', 'scope': "FileNode", 'callback': s."activateFileNode" })
@@ -336,16 +336,22 @@ endfunction
 
 " FUNCTION: s:handleMiddleMouse() {{{1
 function! s:handleMiddleMouse()
-    let curNode = g:NERDTreeFileNode.GetSelected()
-    if curNode ==# {}
-        call nerdtree#echo("Put the cursor on a node first" )
+
+    " A middle mouse click does not automatically position the cursor as one
+    " would expect. Forcing the execution of a regular left mouse click here
+    " fixes this problem.
+    execute "normal! \<LeftMouse>"
+
+    let l:currentNode = g:NERDTreeFileNode.GetSelected()
+    if empty(l:currentNode)
+        call nerdtree#echoError('use the pointer to select a node')
         return
     endif
 
-    if curNode.path.isDirectory
-        call nerdtree#openExplorer(curNode)
+    if l:currentNode.path.isDirectory
+        call l:currentNode.openExplorer()
     else
-        call curNode.open({'where': 'h'})
+        call l:currentNode.open({'where': 'h'})
     endif
 endfunction