diff --git a/server-client.c b/server-client.c
index 4d8c7165c..3c005bbad 100644
--- a/server-client.c
+++ b/server-client.c
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-/* $OpenBSD: server-client.c,v 1.508 2026/08/25 06:14:16 nicm Exp $ */
+/* $OpenBSD: server-client.c,v 1.509 2026/08/28 07:36:01 nicm Exp $ */
 
 /*
  * Copyright (c) 2009 Nicholas Marriott <nicholas.marriott@gmail.com>
@@ -1499,6 +1499,10 @@ server_client_key_callback(struct cmdq_item *item, void *data)
 	    TAILQ_EMPTY(&wp->modes))
 		goto forward_key;
 
+	/* Focus events are not keys and cannot be bound. */
+	if (key == KEYC_FOCUS_IN || key == KEYC_FOCUS_OUT)
+		goto forward_key;
+
 	/*
 	 * Work out the current key table. If the pane is in a mode, use
 	 * the mode table instead of the default key table.