diff --git a/packages/excalidraw/components/App.tsx b/packages/excalidraw/components/App.tsx
index 97ce14662..270c5b53d 100644
--- a/packages/excalidraw/components/App.tsx
+++ b/packages/excalidraw/components/App.tsx
@@ -3747,6 +3747,17 @@ class App extends React.Component<AppProps, AppState> {
         }, 100);
       }
 
+      // remove selections on escape press
+      if (event.key === "Escape") {
+        this.setState({
+          selectedElementIds: {},
+          selectedGroupIds: {},
+          editingGroupId: null,
+        });
+        event.preventDefault();
+        return;
+      }
+
       // prevent browser zoom in input fields
       if (event[KEYS.CTRL_OR_CMD] && isWritableElement(event.target)) {
         if (event.code === CODES.MINUS || event.code === CODES.EQUAL) {