diff --git a/src/core/automation_editor.cpp b/src/core/automation_editor.cpp
index 22e1cf4b2..4dd1c74d0 100644
--- a/src/core/automation_editor.cpp
+++ b/src/core/automation_editor.cpp
@@ -346,6 +346,8 @@ automationEditor::automationEditor( void ) :
 	tb_layout->addStretch();
 
 	// setup our actual window
+	setFocusPolicy( Qt::StrongFocus );
+	setFocus();
 	setWindowIcon( embed::getIconPixmap( "automation" ) );
 	setCurrentPattern( NULL );