diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/file/TagPicker.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/components/file/TagPicker.svelte
index 870c94f..2be3fc3 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/file/TagPicker.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/file/TagPicker.svelte
@@ -109,6 +109,12 @@
 				void handleRemove(tag.id);
 				assignedFocusIdx = Math.min(assignedFocusIdx, filteredAssigned.length - 2);
 			}
+		} else if (e.key === 'Escape') {
+			// Let the keyboard leave the field: blur back to the page so arrow keys
+			// and Escape reach the viewer again (e.g. a second Esc closes it).
+			e.preventDefault();
+			assignedFocusIdx = -1;
+			(e.currentTarget as HTMLInputElement).blur();
 		}
 	}
 </script>
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/layout/KeyboardHelp.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/components/layout/KeyboardHelp.svelte
index ee37712..3410181 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/layout/KeyboardHelp.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/layout/KeyboardHelp.svelte
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@
 				['& | ! ( )', 'Insert an operator (filter only)'],
 				['Ctrl+Enter', 'Apply the filter'],
 				['Ctrl+Backspace', 'Reset the filter'],
-				['Esc', 'Close']
+				['Esc', 'Leave the field / close']
 			]
 		}
 	];