diff --git a/autotests/integration/pointer_constraints_test.cpp b/autotests/integration/pointer_constraints_test.cpp
--- a/autotests/integration/pointer_constraints_test.cpp
+++ b/autotests/integration/pointer_constraints_test.cpp
@@ -340,16 +340,17 @@
     // now try to break
     quint32 timestamp = 0;
     kwinApp()->platform()->keyboardKeyPressed(KEY_ESC, timestamp++);
-    QVERIFY(keyboardLeftSpy.wait());
+    QVERIFY(keyChangedSpy.wait());
     // and just waiting should break constrain
     QVERIFY(unlockedSpy.wait());
+    QCOMPARE(keyboardLeftSpy.count(), 1);
     QCOMPARE(input()->pointer()->isConstrained(), false);
     // and should enter again
     QTRY_COMPARE(keyboardEnteredSpy.count(), 2);
     QCOMPARE(waylandServer()->seat()->focusedKeyboardSurface(), c->surface());
     kwinApp()->platform()->keyboardKeyReleased(KEY_ESC, timestamp++);
     QVERIFY(!keyChangedSpy.wait());
-    QVERIFY(keyChangedSpy.isEmpty());
+    QCOMPARE(keyChangedSpy.count(), 1);
 
     // now lock again
     // need to move out and in
diff --git a/input.cpp b/input.cpp
--- a/input.cpp
+++ b/input.cpp
@@ -404,6 +404,10 @@
     {
         QObject::connect(m_timer.data(), &QTimer::timeout,
             [this] {
+                if (waylandServer()) {
+                    // break keyboard focus, this cancels the pressed ESC
+                    waylandServer()->seat()->setFocusedKeyboardSurface(nullptr);
+                }
                 input()->pointer()->breakPointerConstraints();
                 input()->pointer()->blockPointerConstraints();
                 // TODO: show notification
@@ -435,10 +439,8 @@
                     static_cast<KeyEvent*>(event)->modifiersRelevantForGlobalShortcuts() == Qt::KeyboardModifiers()) {
                 // TODO: don't hard code
                 m_timer->start(3000);
-                input()->keyboard()->update();
                 m_keyCode = event->nativeScanCode();
-                passToWaylandServer(event);
-                return true;
+                return false;
             }
         }
         return false;
diff --git a/keyboard_input.cpp b/keyboard_input.cpp
--- a/keyboard_input.cpp
+++ b/keyboard_input.cpp
@@ -171,7 +171,7 @@
                 break;
             } while (it != stacking.begin());
         }
-    } else if (!input()->isSelectingWindow() && !input()->isBreakingPointerConstraints()) {
+    } else if (!input()->isSelectingWindow()) {
         found = workspace()->activeClient();
     }
     if (found && found->surface()) {