diff --git a/src/app/features/room/RoomViewProfileSidePanel.tsx b/src/app/features/room/RoomViewProfileSidePanel.tsx
index 59e0c536..bfa5648c 100644
--- a/src/app/features/room/RoomViewProfileSidePanel.tsx
+++ b/src/app/features/room/RoomViewProfileSidePanel.tsx
@@ -58,11 +58,12 @@ export function RoomViewProfileSidePanel() {
     <FocusTrap
       focusTrapOptions={{
         initialFocus: false,
-        // Click outside (on the chat) closes the pane on desktop —
-        // matches the «third screen» mental model where the side
-        // pane is a temporary overlay, not pinned chrome. `Esc` also
-        // closes via focus-trap.
-        clickOutsideDeactivates: true,
+        // Outside clicks pass through to the chat (`allowOutsideClick`)
+        // but don't close the pane — clicking around in the chat to
+        // scroll, react, or compose shouldn't dismiss the profile.
+        // Explicit close is via the header's `×` or `Esc` (the latter
+        // still routes through focus-trap → `onDeactivate`).
+        clickOutsideDeactivates: false,
         allowOutsideClick: () => true,
         escapeDeactivates: stopPropagation,
         onDeactivate: () => {