diff --git a/src/as/com/threerings/flex/ChatInput.as b/src/as/com/threerings/flex/ChatInput.as
index ff156a4d..4fa053eb 100644
--- a/src/as/com/threerings/flex/ChatInput.as
+++ b/src/as/com/threerings/flex/ChatInput.as
@@ -5,8 +5,12 @@ package com.threerings.flex {
 
 import flash.events.FocusEvent;
 
+import flash.text.TextField;
+
 import mx.controls.TextInput;
 
+import com.threerings.flash.TextFieldUtil;
+
 /**
  * The class name of an image to use as the input prompt.
  */
@@ -53,6 +57,13 @@ public class ChatInput extends TextInput
         setStyle("backgroundImage", (show && ("" == text)) ? getStyle("prompt") : undefined);
     }
 
+    override protected function createChildren () :void
+    {
+        super.createChildren();
+
+        TextFieldUtil.setFocusable(TextField(textField));
+    }
+
     override protected function focusInHandler (event :FocusEvent) :void
     {
         var oldValue :Boolean = textField.selectable;