Photodissociation of KI at 193 nm in the presence of Xe yields excimer emission in the region 410–530 nm. The intensity distribution differs dramatically from that observed following direct pumping, K (5 2 P)←K (4 2 S), the green emission being significantly weaker than that reported previously. Also, the rate of K(5 2 P) deactivation upon collision with Xe is quite inefficient,k<10−13cm3molecule−1s−1. A simple mechanism involving a curve crossing in KXe resulting in efficient quenching of K (5 2 P) to K(5 2 S) is not supported.