diff --git a/server-client.c b/server-client.c
index d60a53c2..9e82179b 100644
--- a/server-client.c
+++ b/server-client.c
@@ -2417,16 +2417,6 @@ server_client_key_callback(struct cmdq_item *item, void *data)
 		event->key = key;
 	}
 
-	/* Handle theme reporting keys. */
-	if (key == KEYC_REPORT_LIGHT_THEME) {
-		server_client_report_theme(c, THEME_LIGHT);
-		goto out;
-	}
-	if (key == KEYC_REPORT_DARK_THEME) {
-		server_client_report_theme(c, THEME_DARK);
-		goto out;
-	}
-
 	/* Find affected pane. */
 	if (!KEYC_IS_MOUSE(key) || cmd_find_from_mouse(&fs, m, 0) != 0)
 		cmd_find_from_client(&fs, c, 0);
@@ -2645,6 +2635,19 @@ server_client_handle_key(struct client *c, struct key_event *event)
 	if (s == NULL || (c->flags & CLIENT_UNATTACHEDFLAGS))
 		return (0);
 
+	/*
+	 * Handle theme reporting keys before overlays so they work even when a
+	 * popup is open.
+	 */
+	if (event->key == KEYC_REPORT_LIGHT_THEME) {
+		server_client_report_theme(c, THEME_LIGHT);
+		return (0);
+	}
+	if (event->key == KEYC_REPORT_DARK_THEME) {
+		server_client_report_theme(c, THEME_DARK);
+		return (0);
+	}
+
 	/*
 	 * Key presses in overlay mode and the command prompt are a special
 	 * case. The queue might be blocked so they need to be processed