diff --git a/src/gui/Base/HTextArea.qml b/src/gui/Base/HTextArea.qml
index 9bc77cf2..6ac93cb0 100644
--- a/src/gui/Base/HTextArea.qml
+++ b/src/gui/Base/HTextArea.qml
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ TextArea {
     property bool bordered: true
 
     property var focusItemOnTab: null
+    property bool menuKeySpawnsMenu: true
     property var disabledText: null
     property var defaultText: null  // XXX test me
     readonly property bool changed: text !== (defaultText || "")
@@ -108,7 +109,7 @@ TextArea {
         }
     }
 
-    Keys.onMenuPressed: contextMenu.spawn(false)
+    Keys.onMenuPressed: if (menuKeySpawnsMenu) contextMenu.spawn(false)
 
     // Prevent leaking arrow presses to parent elements when the carret is at
     // the beginning or end of the text
diff --git a/src/gui/Pages/Chat/Composer/MessageArea.qml b/src/gui/Pages/Chat/Composer/MessageArea.qml
index a319455e..08fada08 100644
--- a/src/gui/Pages/Chat/Composer/MessageArea.qml
+++ b/src/gui/Pages/Chat/Composer/MessageArea.qml
@@ -95,6 +95,8 @@ HTextArea {
     disabledText: qsTr("You do not have permission to post in this room")
     placeholderText: qsTr("Type a message...")
     enableCustomImagePaste: true
+    menuKeySpawnsMenu:
+        ! (eventList && (eventList.currentItem || eventList.selectedCount))
 
     backgroundColor: "transparent"
     focusedBorderColor: "transparent"