diff --git a/termite.cc b/termite.cc
index 87cf046..8a99ba2 100644
--- a/termite.cc
+++ b/termite.cc
@@ -597,7 +597,8 @@ gboolean entry_key_press_cb(GtkEntry *entry, GdkEventKey *event, search_panel_in
             synthesize_keypress(GTK_WIDGET(entry), GDK_KEY_Up);
             return TRUE;
         } else if (event->keyval == GDK_KEY_Down) {
-            return TRUE; // no focus cycling
+            // this stops the down key from leaving the GtkEntry...
+            event->hardware_keycode = 0;
         }
     }