diff --git a/web/src/click_handlers.ts b/web/src/click_handlers.ts
index b08ef36a9a..2c8e826af7 100644
--- a/web/src/click_handlers.ts
+++ b/web/src/click_handlers.ts
@@ -462,6 +462,12 @@ export function initialize(): void {
         if ($(e.target).parents(".user-profile-picture").length === 1) {
             return;
         }
+        if (document.getSelection()?.type === "Range") {
+            // To avoid the click behavior if a user name or status text is
+            // selected.
+            e.preventDefault();
+            return;
+        }
 
         const $li = $(e.target).parents("li");
 
diff --git a/web/styles/right_sidebar.css b/web/styles/right_sidebar.css
index cd00c46779..d30d3d88fb 100644
--- a/web/styles/right_sidebar.css
+++ b/web/styles/right_sidebar.css
@@ -356,6 +356,7 @@
 }
 
 .user-presence-link {
+    user-select: text;
     grid-area: row-content;
 
     &:hover,
diff --git a/web/templates/presence_row.hbs b/web/templates/presence_row.hbs
index 2d4ed1a950..908d623ba1 100644
--- a/web/templates/presence_row.hbs
+++ b/web/templates/presence_row.hbs
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
     <div class="selectable_sidebar_block">
         {{#if user_list_style.WITH_STATUS}}
             <span class="zulip-icon zulip-icon-{{user_circle_class}} {{user_circle_class}} user-circle"></span>
-            <a class="user-presence-link" href="{{href}}">
+            <a class="user-presence-link" href="{{href}}" draggable="false">
                 <div class="user-name-and-status-wrapper">
                     <div class="user-name-and-status-emoji">
                         {{> user_full_name .}}
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
                     <span class="zulip-icon zulip-icon-{{user_circle_class}} {{user_circle_class}} user-circle"></span>
                 </div>
             </div>
-            <a class="user-presence-link" href="{{href}}">
+            <a class="user-presence-link" href="{{href}}" draggable="false">
                 <div class="user-name-and-status-wrapper">
                     <div class="user-name-and-status-emoji">
                         {{> user_full_name .}}
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@
             </a>
         {{else}}
             <span class="zulip-icon zulip-icon-{{user_circle_class}} {{user_circle_class}} user-circle"></span>
-            <a class="user-presence-link" href="{{href}}">
+            <a class="user-presence-link" href="{{href}}" draggable="false">
                 <div class="user-name-and-status-emoji">
                     {{> user_full_name .}}
                     {{> status_emoji status_emoji_info}}