Shovel does not continue digging when holding the action button

For some reason, since the 1.2.0 update the shovel action does not auto-repeat when I hold the button. It still works correctly with the other tools though. The shovel I use is a diamond one, enchanted with Fortune III, Unbreaking III and Efficiency IV (though I doubt it has any impact on the issue).

If this is supposed to be a new feature, could it be made an option? It is really tedious to dig through gravel or sand.