diff --git a/src/Mod/Sketcher/Gui/ViewProviderSketch.cpp b/src/Mod/Sketcher/Gui/ViewProviderSketch.cpp
index 976d91c6f5..da21425bdb 100644
--- a/src/Mod/Sketcher/Gui/ViewProviderSketch.cpp
+++ b/src/Mod/Sketcher/Gui/ViewProviderSketch.cpp
@@ -374,6 +374,12 @@ void ViewProviderSketch::activateHandler(DrawSketchHandler *newHandler)
     Mode = STATUS_SKETCH_UseHandler;
     edit->sketchHandler->sketchgui = this;
     edit->sketchHandler->activated(this);
+
+    // make sure receiver has focus so immediately pressing Escape will be handled by
+    // ViewProviderSketch::keyPressed() and dismiss the active handler, and not the entire
+    // sketcher editor
+    Gui::MDIView *mdi = Gui::Application::Instance->activeDocument()->getActiveView();
+    mdi->setFocus();
 }
 
 void ViewProviderSketch::deactivateHandler()