diff --git a/vxfw/vxfw.go b/vxfw/vxfw.go
index c7a74ef..75788d9 100644
--- a/vxfw/vxfw.go
+++ b/vxfw/vxfw.go
@@ -276,7 +276,8 @@ func (f *focusHandler) updatePath(root Surface) {
 
 	ok := f.childHasFocus(root)
 	if !ok {
-		panic("focused widget not found in Surface tree")
+		// reset focus to root widget
+		f.focused = root.Widget
 	}
 
 	if f.root != root.Widget {