diff --git a/src/generic/listctrl.cpp b/src/generic/listctrl.cpp
index c0fe60314f..67562c04aa 100644
--- a/src/generic/listctrl.cpp
+++ b/src/generic/listctrl.cpp
@@ -5000,6 +5000,9 @@ bool wxGenericListCtrl::Create(wxWindow *parent,
     if ( !wxControl::Create( parent, id, pos, size, style, validator, name ) )
         return false;
 
+    // this window itself shouldn't get the focus, only m_mainWin should
+    SetCanFocus(false);
+
     // don't create the inner window with the border
     style &= ~wxBORDER_MASK;