diff --git a/static/js/tippyjs.js b/static/js/tippyjs.js
index 284ddde20d..004b2b8512 100644
--- a/static/js/tippyjs.js
+++ b/static/js/tippyjs.js
@@ -117,6 +117,9 @@ export function initialize() {
         // so that regular users don't have to see
         // them unless they want to.
         delay: [300, 20],
+        // This ensures that the upload files tooltip
+        // doesn't hide behind the left sidebar.
+        appendTo: () => document.body,
     });
 
     delegate("body", {