diff --git a/quickshell/Modules/Settings/DisplayConfig/OutputCard.qml b/quickshell/Modules/Settings/DisplayConfig/OutputCard.qml
index 0c779e041..2e786a157 100644
--- a/quickshell/Modules/Settings/DisplayConfig/OutputCard.qml
+++ b/quickshell/Modules/Settings/DisplayConfig/OutputCard.qml
@@ -244,14 +244,13 @@ StyledRect {
                         width: parent.width
                         dropdownWidth: parent.width
                         visible: !scaleContainer.customMode
-                        currentValue: scaleContainer.currentScale
                         options: scaleContainer.scaleOptionsData.labels
                         onValueChanged: value => {
                             if (value === I18n.tr("Custom...")) {
-                                scaleContainer.customMode = true;
+                                currentValue = scaleContainer.currentScale;
                                 scaleInput.text = scaleContainer.currentScale;
-                                scaleInput.forceActiveFocus();
-                                scaleInput.selectAll();
+                                scaleContainer.customMode = true;
+                                customFocusTimer.restart();
                                 return;
                             }
                             const mapped = scaleContainer.scaleOptionsData.valueByLabel[value];
@@ -259,6 +258,22 @@ StyledRect {
                         }
                     }
 
+                    Binding {
+                        target: scaleDropdown
+                        property: "currentValue"
+                        value: scaleContainer.currentScale
+                    }
+
+                    // the dropdown takes focus back when its menu finishes closing
+                    Timer {
+                        id: customFocusTimer
+                        interval: Theme.shortDuration + 100
+                        onTriggered: {
+                            scaleInput.forceActiveFocus();
+                            scaleInput.selectAll();
+                        }
+                    }
+
                     DankTextField {
                         id: scaleInput
                         width: parent.width