diff --git a/gui/ChatPane.qml b/gui/ChatPane.qml
index 5162737..3dfe459 100644
--- a/gui/ChatPane.qml
+++ b/gui/ChatPane.qml
@@ -580,7 +580,7 @@ Item {
         }
     }
 
-    // Sloppy focus — focus prompt when mouse hovers inside pane
+    // Sloppy focus — focus prompt (or filter if visible) when mouse hovers inside pane
     HoverHandler {
         id: sloppyHover
         onHoveredChanged: {
@@ -595,8 +595,9 @@ Item {
         id: sloppyTimer
         interval: 300
         onTriggered: {
-            if (!panePrompt.activeFocus && !filterInput.activeFocus) {
-                paneRoot.focus = true
+            if (filterBar.visible && !filterInput.activeFocus) {
+                filterInput.forceActiveFocus()
+            } else if (!filterBar.visible && !panePrompt.activeFocus) {
                 panePrompt.forceActiveFocus()
             }
         }