diff --git a/static/js/click_handlers.js b/static/js/click_handlers.js
index d65dc47a21..cb218e7d53 100644
--- a/static/js/click_handlers.js
+++ b/static/js/click_handlers.js
@@ -983,13 +983,8 @@ export function initialize() {
         }
 
         if (compose_state.composing()) {
-            const $closest_links = $(e.target).closest("a");
-            const nearby_link_exists = $closest_links.length > 0;
-            // Links that are actually dropdown widget don't count.
-            const inside_dropdown_widget =
-                nearby_link_exists && $closest_links[0].role === "menuitem";
             if (
-                (nearby_link_exists && !inside_dropdown_widget) ||
+                $(e.target).closest("a").length > 0 ||
                 $(e.target).closest(".copy_codeblock").length > 0
             ) {
                 // Refocus compose message text box if one clicks an external