diff --git a/server-client.c b/server-client.c
index 3c2b54d5..190897ff 100644
--- a/server-client.c
+++ b/server-client.c
@@ -1590,10 +1590,6 @@ server_client_check_pane_focus(struct window_pane *wp)
 	if (wp->window->active != wp)
 		goto not_focused;
 
-	/* If we're in a mode, we're not focused. */
-	if (wp->screen != &wp->base)
-		goto not_focused;
-
 	/*
 	 * If our window is the current window in any focused clients with an
 	 * attached session, we're focused.