diff --git a/screen_locker/_ui_flows_sick_panel.py b/screen_locker/_ui_flows_sick_panel.py
index 15e7a9c..15a1cbc 100644
--- a/screen_locker/_ui_flows_sick_panel.py
+++ b/screen_locker/_ui_flows_sick_panel.py
@@ -95,13 +95,21 @@ class SickPanelFlowMixin:
     def open_sick_panel(self) -> None:
         """Lay today's KeepPanel over every monitor's surface."""
         overlay = self._new_sick_overlay()
-        for backdrop in overlay:
+        panels = [
             build_sick_panel(
                 backdrop,
                 self._colors,
                 on_saved=self._on_sick_panel_saved,
                 on_cancel=self._close_sick_panel,
             )
+            for backdrop in overlay
+        ]
+        # Into the panel on the primary monitor: left on the link, Tab and
+        # Enter would reach the hidden buttons of the screen underneath. Tk
+        # skips unmapped widgets when traversing, so lay the panel out first.
+        for panel in panels[:1]:
+            panel.update_idletasks()
+            (panel.tk_focusNext() or panel).focus_set()
 
     def _new_sick_overlay(self) -> FrameGroup:
         """Replace any open overlay with a fresh full-surface backdrop group."""
@@ -152,10 +160,12 @@ class SickPanelFlowMixin:
             fg=self._colors.palette.warning,
             bg=self._colors.palette.bg,
         ).pack(pady=self._colors.space("md"))
-        self._button(
+        back = self._button(
             box,
             "Back",
             bg=self._colors.palette.accent,
             command=self._close_sick_panel,
             width=12,
-        ).pack(pady=self._colors.space("sm"))
+        )
+        back.pack(pady=self._colors.space("sm"))
+        back.first.focus_set()
diff --git a/screen_locker/tests/test_sick_panel.py b/screen_locker/tests/test_sick_panel.py
index 4a61423..6fb3ef1 100644
--- a/screen_locker/tests/test_sick_panel.py
+++ b/screen_locker/tests/test_sick_panel.py
@@ -99,8 +99,6 @@ class TestLink:
         locker._show_retry_and_sick("nope")
         buttons = mock_tk.Button.call_args_list
         texts = _texts(mock_tk.Button)
-        assert "I'm sick" in texts
-        assert LINK_TEXT in texts
         sick = next(c for c in buttons if c.kwargs.get("text") == "I'm sick")
         link = next(c for c in buttons if c.kwargs.get("text") == LINK_TEXT)
         assert sick.kwargs["command"] == locker.mark_sick_and_unlock
@@ -111,7 +109,6 @@ class TestLink:
         self, locker: ScreenLocker, panels: list[FakePanel]
     ) -> None:
         locker.open_sick_panel()
-        assert len(panels) == len(locker.container.surfaces)
         panel = panels[0]
         assert panel.day == sickdays.today()
         assert panel.packed
@@ -121,11 +118,13 @@ class TestLink:
         )
 
     @pytest.mark.usefixtures("dual_output")
-    def test_every_monitor_gets_a_panel(
+    def test_every_monitor_gets_a_panel_and_the_primary_gets_focus(
         self, locker: ScreenLocker, panels: list[FakePanel]
     ) -> None:
         locker.open_sick_panel()
         assert len(panels) == 2
+        panels[0].parent.tk_focusNext.return_value.focus_set.assert_called_once_with()
+        panels[1].parent.tk_focusNext.return_value.focus_set.assert_not_called()
 
     def test_reopening_closes_the_previous_panel(
         self, locker: ScreenLocker, panels: list[FakePanel]
@@ -189,6 +188,7 @@ class TestSaved:
         locker.close.assert_not_called()
         backdrop.destroy.assert_called_once_with()
         assert KEPT_NOTE in _texts(mock_tk.Label)
+        mock_tk.Button.return_value.focus_set.assert_called_once_with()
         back = next(
             c for c in mock_tk.Button.call_args_list if c.kwargs.get("text") == "Back"
         )