diff --git a/src/components/TextEditor.tsx b/src/components/TextEditor.tsx
index 779e725d..7a9e6522 100644
--- a/src/components/TextEditor.tsx
+++ b/src/components/TextEditor.tsx
@@ -417,7 +417,10 @@ export const TextEditor = forwardRef<TextEditorHandle, TextEditorProps>(
         first.click();
         return true;
       }
-      if ((e.key === "ArrowDown" || e.key === "ArrowUp") && plain) {
+      // Every arrow steps into the grid, left and right included: while a
+      // `:query` is open they pick among its results, not move the caret
+      // (Escape first to get the caret back).
+      if (e.key.startsWith("Arrow") && plain) {
         if (!firstEmoji()) return false;
         e.preventDefault();
         arrowedRef.current = true;