diff --git a/public/app/features/variables/pickers/shared/VariableInput.tsx b/public/app/features/variables/pickers/shared/VariableInput.tsx
index c9c9ca15e3b..d943da3cf6d 100644
--- a/public/app/features/variables/pickers/shared/VariableInput.tsx
+++ b/public/app/features/variables/pickers/shared/VariableInput.tsx
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ export class VariableInput extends PureComponent<Props> {
     if (NavigationKey[event.keyCode]) {
       const clearOthers = event.ctrlKey || event.metaKey || event.shiftKey;
       this.props.onNavigate(event.keyCode as NavigationKey, clearOthers);
+      event.preventDefault();
     }
   };