diff --git a/nw/gui/doceditor.py b/nw/gui/doceditor.py
index 53ba7bc9..b2f2e49d 100644
--- a/nw/gui/doceditor.py
+++ b/nw/gui/doceditor.py
@@ -591,6 +591,9 @@ class GuiDocEditor(QTextEdit):
         as it is triggered on every keypress when typing.
         """
         self.hasSelection = self.textCursor().hasSelection()
+        if not self.hasFocus():
+            # Block the event when the focus is on the search bar.
+            return
 
         if keyEvent.modifiers() == Qt.ShiftModifier:
             theKey = keyEvent.key()