diff --git a/briar-gtk/briar_gtk/containers/main_window.py b/briar-gtk/briar_gtk/containers/main_window.py
index e167f22337d1344020f2859d1957a25bef966a29..6e39d744df0fc4cea8710ea0c05441b0548b595b 100644
--- a/briar-gtk/briar_gtk/containers/main_window.py
+++ b/briar-gtk/briar_gtk/containers/main_window.py
@@ -101,6 +101,7 @@ class MainWindowContainer(Container):
         self._chat_entry_signal_id = self.chat_entry.connect(
             "activate", private_chat_widget.send_message
         )
+        self.chat_entry.grab_focus()
 
     def _disconnect_chat_entry_signals(self):
         if not hasattr(self, "_chat_entry_signal_id"):