diff --git a/src/pyj/read_book/overlay.pyj b/src/pyj/read_book/overlay.pyj
index 576bd696fe..e9cd6f56e0 100644
--- a/src/pyj/read_book/overlay.pyj
+++ b/src/pyj/read_book/overlay.pyj
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ class LoadingMessage:  # {{{
     def __init__(self, msg, current_color_scheme):
         self.msg = msg or ''
         self.current_color_scheme = current_color_scheme
+        self.is_not_escapable = True  # prevent Esc key from closing
 
     def show(self, container):
         self.container_id = container.getAttribute('id')
@@ -440,6 +441,7 @@ class OpenBook: # {{{
     def __init__(self, overlay, closeable):
         self.overlay = overlay
         self.closeable = closeable
+        self.is_not_escapable = not closeable  # prevent Esc key from closing
 
     def on_container_click(self, evt):
         pass  # Dont allow panel to be closed by a click
@@ -516,6 +518,14 @@ class Overlay:
             p.on_hide()
         self.show_current_panel()
 
+    def handle_escape(self):
+        if self.panels.length:
+            p = self.panels[-1]
+            if not p.is_not_escapable:
+                self.hide_current_panel()
+                return True
+        return False
+
     def show_current_panel(self):
         if self.panels.length:
             c = self.clear_container()
diff --git a/src/pyj/read_book/view.pyj b/src/pyj/read_book/view.pyj
index 2c789a5780..86ca685ea6 100644
--- a/src/pyj/read_book/view.pyj
+++ b/src/pyj/read_book/view.pyj
@@ -272,10 +272,9 @@ class View:
 
     def handle_keypress(self, evt):
         if self.overlay.is_visible and evt.key is 'Escape':
-            self.overlay.hide_current_panel()
-            if evt.preventDefault:
-                evt.preventDefault(), evt.stopPropagation()
-            return
+            if self.overlay.handle_escape():
+                if evt.preventDefault:
+                    evt.preventDefault(), evt.stopPropagation()
 
     def overlay_visibility_changed(self, visible):
         if self.iframe_wrapper.send_message: