diff --git a/src/managers/KeybindManager.cpp b/src/managers/KeybindManager.cpp
index f4a55a730..4706c1e13 100644
--- a/src/managers/KeybindManager.cpp
+++ b/src/managers/KeybindManager.cpp
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 #include "../protocols/LayerShell.hpp"
 #include "../protocols/ShortcutsInhibit.hpp"
 #include "../protocols/GlobalShortcuts.hpp"
+#include "../protocols/core/DataDevice.hpp"
 #include "../render/decorations/CHyprGroupBarDecoration.hpp"
 #include "KeybindManager.hpp"
 #include "PointerManager.hpp"
@@ -432,6 +433,9 @@ bool CKeybindManager::onKeyEvent(std::any event, SP<IKeyboard> pKeyboard) {
     const xkb_keysym_t keysym         = xkb_state_key_get_one_sym(pKeyboard->resolveBindsBySym ? pKeyboard->xkbSymState : m_pXKBTranslationState, KEYCODE);
     const xkb_keysym_t internalKeysym = xkb_state_key_get_one_sym(pKeyboard->xkbState, KEYCODE);
 
+    if (keysym == XKB_KEY_Escape || internalKeysym == XKB_KEY_Escape)
+        PROTO::data->abortDndIfPresent();
+
     // handleInternalKeybinds returns true when the key should be suppressed,
     // while this function returns true when the key event should be sent
     if (handleInternalKeybinds(internalKeysym))
diff --git a/src/protocols/core/DataDevice.cpp b/src/protocols/core/DataDevice.cpp
index ade164984..36437dd49 100644
--- a/src/protocols/core/DataDevice.cpp
+++ b/src/protocols/core/DataDevice.cpp
@@ -814,3 +814,9 @@ void CWLDataDeviceProtocol::renderDND(PHLMONITOR pMonitor, timespec* when) {
 bool CWLDataDeviceProtocol::dndActive() {
     return dnd.currentSource;
 }
+
+void CWLDataDeviceProtocol::abortDndIfPresent() {
+    if (!dndActive())
+        return;
+    abortDrag();
+}
diff --git a/src/protocols/core/DataDevice.hpp b/src/protocols/core/DataDevice.hpp
index 5101862ef..d8bc2b9ca 100644
--- a/src/protocols/core/DataDevice.hpp
+++ b/src/protocols/core/DataDevice.hpp
@@ -144,6 +144,9 @@ class CWLDataDeviceProtocol : public IWaylandProtocol {
     // TODO: move handling to seatmgr
     bool dndActive();
 
+    // called on an escape key pressed, for moments where it gets stuck
+    void abortDndIfPresent();
+
   private:
     void destroyResource(CWLDataDeviceManagerResource* resource);
     void destroyResource(CWLDataDeviceResource* resource);