diff --git a/sphinx_fuma/static/fuma.js b/sphinx_fuma/static/fuma.js
index 0e4426a..42c4406 100644
--- a/sphinx_fuma/static/fuma.js
+++ b/sphinx_fuma/static/fuma.js
@@ -306,6 +306,11 @@
         event.preventDefault();
         window.location.href = active.href;
       }
+    } else if (event.key === "Escape") {
+      // `<input type=search>` swallows the first Escape to clear itself, which
+      // would leave the dialog needing two presses despite the `Esc` hint.
+      event.preventDefault();
+      dialog.close();
     }
   });
 
diff --git a/sphinx_fuma/tests/test_theme.py b/sphinx_fuma/tests/test_theme.py
index 2c28f4e..81d19c3 100644
--- a/sphinx_fuma/tests/test_theme.py
+++ b/sphinx_fuma/tests/test_theme.py
@@ -217,6 +217,12 @@ def test_toc_scroll_spy_marks_every_visible_item_active(self, built):
         assert 'entry.item.classList.add("fd-active")' in script
         assert 'active[0].item.classList.add("fd-active")' not in script
 
+    def test_escape_closes_the_search_dialog_on_the_first_press(self, built):
+        script = (built / "_static" / "fuma.js").read_text()
+        # `<input type=search>` eats the first Escape to clear itself, so the
+        # dialog has to close on it explicitly.
+        assert 'event.key === "Escape"' in script
+
     def test_tight_list_paragraphs_do_not_expand_item_spacing(self, built):
         stylesheet = (built / "_static" / "fuma.css").read_text()
         assert (".fd-prose ul.simple > li > p,\n.fd-prose ol.simple > li > p {\n  margin: 0;\n}") in stylesheet