diff --git a/src/backend/wayland/wl_pointer_focus.c b/src/backend/wayland/wl_pointer_focus.c
index e17dfcd..c0af0a7 100644
--- a/src/backend/wayland/wl_pointer_focus.c
+++ b/src/backend/wayland/wl_pointer_focus.c
@@ -124,6 +124,20 @@ wl_update_pointer_focus(uint32_t time_msec)
     if (!wl_state.seat)
         return;
 
+    /* Preserve implicit grab: don't change focus while buttons are held.
+     * Still deliver motion to the focused surface for drag/selection. */
+    if (wl_state.seat->pointer_state.button_count > 0) {
+        struct wlr_surface *focused = wl_state.seat->pointer_state.focused_surface;
+        if (focused) {
+            double sx, sy;
+            struct wl_toplevel_view *v = NULL;
+            view_surface_at(wl_state.pointer_x, wl_state.pointer_y, &sx, &sy, &v);
+            wlr_seat_pointer_notify_motion(wl_state.seat, time_msec, sx, sy);
+            wlr_seat_pointer_notify_frame(wl_state.seat);
+        }
+        return;
+    }
+
     double sx, sy;
     struct wl_toplevel_view *view = NULL;
     struct wlr_surface *surface = NULL;