diff --git a/interface/src/Application.cpp b/interface/src/Application.cpp
index 5256ef2c6a..969a05a792 100644
--- a/interface/src/Application.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/Application.cpp
@@ -4159,6 +4159,10 @@ void Application::focusOutEvent(QFocusEvent* event) {
     SpacemouseManager::getInstance().ManagerFocusOutEvent();
 #endif
 
+    synthesizeKeyReleasEvents();
+}
+
+void Application::synthesizeKeyReleasEvents() {
     // synthesize events for keys currently pressed, since we may not get their release events
     // Because our key event handlers may manipulate _keysPressed, lets swap the keys pressed into a local copy,
     // clearing the existing list.
@@ -4784,6 +4788,7 @@ void Application::idle() {
         if (_keyboardDeviceHasFocus && activeFocusItem != offscreenUi->getRootItem()) {
             _keyboardMouseDevice->pluginFocusOutEvent();
             _keyboardDeviceHasFocus = false;
+            synthesizeKeyReleasEvents();
         } else if (activeFocusItem == offscreenUi->getRootItem()) {
             _keyboardDeviceHasFocus = true;
         }
diff --git a/interface/src/Application.h b/interface/src/Application.h
index 6275feaf29..9b8aac425a 100644
--- a/interface/src/Application.h
+++ b/interface/src/Application.h
@@ -550,6 +550,7 @@ private:
     void keyReleaseEvent(QKeyEvent* event);
 
     void focusOutEvent(QFocusEvent* event);
+    void synthesizeKeyReleasEvents();
     void focusInEvent(QFocusEvent* event);
 
     void mouseMoveEvent(QMouseEvent* event);