diff --git a/src/qml/Panel/RoomDrawer.qml b/src/qml/Panel/RoomDrawer.qml
index 593026c31..a0c44f95b 100644
--- a/src/qml/Panel/RoomDrawer.qml
+++ b/src/qml/Panel/RoomDrawer.qml
@@ -256,6 +256,7 @@ Kirigami.OverlayDrawer {
                 id: userListSearchField
                 visible: memberSearchToggle.checked
 
+                onVisibleChanged: if (visible) forceActiveFocus()
                 Layout.fillWidth: true
                 Layout.leftMargin: Kirigami.Units.largeSpacing - 1
                 Layout.rightMargin: Kirigami.Units.largeSpacing - 1