The lifetime of n = 1 image-state electrons on stepped on Cu(7 7 5) has been measured as a function of their translational momentum, k(parallel to). At the terrace normal this lifetime is equal to that for flat Cu(1 1 1), i.e. tau = 18 +/- 2 fs. For motion parallel to the step orientation, the lifetime decreases symmetrically about k(parallel to) = 0 and the absolute values are in close agreement with that predicted by a recent many-body theory. Contrasting data for motion perpendicular to the step edges is also presented. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.