diff --git a/app/javascript/mastodon/features/compose/components/emoji_picker_dropdown.js b/app/javascript/mastodon/features/compose/components/emoji_picker_dropdown.js
index 4fc32db8a..6c0fd9a2f 100644
--- a/app/javascript/mastodon/features/compose/components/emoji_picker_dropdown.js
+++ b/app/javascript/mastodon/features/compose/components/emoji_picker_dropdown.js
@@ -261,6 +261,7 @@ class EmojiPickerMenu extends React.PureComponent {
           skin={skinTone}
           showPreview={false}
           backgroundImageFn={backgroundImageFn}
+          autoFocus
           emojiTooltip
         />