diff --git a/qutebrowser/widgets/mainwindow.py b/qutebrowser/widgets/mainwindow.py
index 74184acad..50d13136a 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/widgets/mainwindow.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/widgets/mainwindow.py
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
 
         self.tabs.cur_progress.connect(self.status.prog.set_progress)
         self.tabs.cur_load_finished.connect(self.status.prog.load_finished)
+        self.status.cmd.esc_pressed.connect(self.tabs.setFocus)
 
         #self.retranslateUi(MainWindow)
         #self.tabWidget.setCurrentIndex(0)
diff --git a/qutebrowser/widgets/statusbar.py b/qutebrowser/widgets/statusbar.py
index 5a649d0ac..62eaf8729 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/widgets/statusbar.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/widgets/statusbar.py
@@ -106,6 +106,7 @@ class StatusText(QLabel):
 class StatusCommand(QLineEdit):
     got_cmd = pyqtSignal(str)
     parent = None
+    esc_pressed = pyqtSignal()
 
     def __init__(self, parent):
         super().__init__(parent)
@@ -118,8 +119,7 @@ class StatusCommand(QLineEdit):
         self.esc = QShortcut(self)
         self.esc.setKey(QKeySequence(Qt.Key_Escape))
         self.esc.setContext(Qt.WidgetWithChildrenShortcut)
-        # FIXME this is fugly and doesn't clear the keystring
-        self.esc.activated.connect(parent.parent.tabs.setFocus)
+        self.esc.activated.connect(self.esc_pressed)
 
     def process_cmd(self):
         text = self.text().lstrip(':')