--- a/src/core/seat/keyboard.cpp
+++ b/src/core/seat/keyboard.cpp
@@ -46,6 +46,26 @@
         if ((is_im_sent || !handle_keyboard_key(ev->keycode, ev->state)) &&
             (mode == input_event_processing_mode_t::FULL))
         {
+            // wlroots grabs keyboard input during DnD and does not forward
+            // Escape to clients. Cancel here so every source gets cancelled,
+            // including a foreign app or one whose original tab is now hidden.
+            if (seat->priv->active_drag && ev->keycode == KEY_ESC &&
+                ev->state == WL_KEYBOARD_KEY_STATE_PRESSED)
+            {
+                auto drag = seat->priv->active_drag;
+                if (drag->source)
+                {
+                    wlr_data_source_destroy(drag->source);
+                } else
+                {
+                    drag->keyboard_grab.interface->cancel(&drag->keyboard_grab);
+                }
+
+                // Do not record the press: its release must not reach a client
+                // which never received the corresponding press.
+                return emit_device_post_event_signal(ev, &handle->base);
+            }
+
             if (!is_im_sent &&
                 wf::get_core_impl().im_relay->handle_key(handle, ev->time_msec, ev->keycode, ev->state))
             {