diff --git a/addons/mail/static/src/web/chat_window/chat_window.js b/addons/mail/static/src/web/chat_window/chat_window.js
index 428593c9838..0c805032aa1 100644
--- a/addons/mail/static/src/web/chat_window/chat_window.js
+++ b/addons/mail/static/src/web/chat_window/chat_window.js
@@ -76,8 +76,6 @@ export class ChatWindow extends Component {
     onKeydown(ev) {
         switch (ev.key) {
             case "Escape":
-                // prevent reopening last app when in home menu
-                ev.stopPropagation();
                 if (
                     isEventHandled(ev, "NavigableList.close") ||
                     isEventHandled(ev, "Composer.discard")
diff --git a/addons/mail/static/src/web/chat_window/chat_window.xml b/addons/mail/static/src/web/chat_window/chat_window.xml
index 8ae1f01d090..336c2988431 100644
--- a/addons/mail/static/src/web/chat_window/chat_window.xml
+++ b/addons/mail/static/src/web/chat_window/chat_window.xml
@@ -9,7 +9,8 @@
                 'o-folded': props.chatWindow.folded,
                 'position-absolute bottom-0 rounded-top-3 bg-view overflow-hidden d-flex flex-column': !props.chatWindow.hidden
                 }"
-        t-on-keydown="onKeydown"
+        t-on-keydown.stop="onKeydown"
+        tabindex="1"
     >
         <div class="o-mail-ChatWindow-header d-flex align-items-center cursor-pointer flex-shrink-0" t-on-click="toggleFold">
             <div t-if="store.isSmall" class="cursor-pointer d-flex align-items-center h-100 px-3 py-0 me-2" title="Close conversation" t-on-click="() => this.close()">