diff --git a/crates/chattyness-user-ui/src/pages/realm.rs b/crates/chattyness-user-ui/src/pages/realm.rs
index 36add8f..b40d0fe 100644
--- a/crates/chattyness-user-ui/src/pages/realm.rs
+++ b/crates/chattyness-user-ui/src/pages/realm.rs
@@ -813,6 +813,20 @@ pub fn RealmPage() -> impl IntoView {
                     }
                 }
 
+                // If any modal is open, skip hotkeys (modals handle their own Escape key)
+                if settings_open.get_untracked()
+                    || inventory_open.get_untracked()
+                    || log_open.get_untracked()
+                    || keybindings_open.get_untracked()
+                    || avatar_editor_open.get_untracked()
+                    || register_modal_open.get_untracked()
+                    || history_modal_open.get_untracked()
+                    || conversation_modal_open.get_untracked()
+                {
+                    *e_pressed_clone.borrow_mut() = false;
+                    return;
+                }
+
                 // Handle space to focus chat input (no prefix)
                 if key == " " {
                     set_focus_prefix.set(' ');