diff --git a/repos/os/src/server/nitpicker/mode.h b/repos/os/src/server/nitpicker/mode.h
index 3bb6bb7357..02b9be8d85 100644
--- a/repos/os/src/server/nitpicker/mode.h
+++ b/repos/os/src/server/nitpicker/mode.h
@@ -30,6 +30,13 @@ class Mode
 
 		Session *_next_focused_session = nullptr;
 
+	protected:
+
+		/*
+		 * True while a global key sequence is processed
+		 */
+		bool _global_key_sequence = false;
+
 	public:
 
 		virtual ~Mode() { }
@@ -64,7 +71,13 @@ class Mode
 		 */
 		void apply_pending_focus_change()
 		{
-			if (key_is_pressed())
+			/*
+			 * Defer focus changes to a point where no drag operation is in
+			 * flight because otherwise, the involved sessions would obtain
+			 * inconsistent press and release events. However, focus changes
+			 * during global key sequences are fine.
+			 */
+			if (key_is_pressed() && !_global_key_sequence)
 				return;
 
 			if (_focused_session != _next_focused_session)
diff --git a/repos/os/src/server/nitpicker/user_state.h b/repos/os/src/server/nitpicker/user_state.h
index 2316e43d1a..f8cc4303ca 100644
--- a/repos/os/src/server/nitpicker/user_state.h
+++ b/repos/os/src/server/nitpicker/user_state.h
@@ -46,11 +46,6 @@ class User_state : public Mode, public View_stack
 		 */
 		Session *_input_receiver = nullptr;
 
-		/*
-		 * True while a global key sequence is processed
-		 */
-		bool _global_key_sequence = false;
-
 		void _update_all();
 
 	public: