diff --git a/web/src/reader/reader.ts b/web/src/reader/reader.ts
index 68b0284..6be8972 100644
--- a/web/src/reader/reader.ts
+++ b/web/src/reader/reader.ts
@@ -1082,6 +1082,15 @@ document.addEventListener("alpine:init", () => {
         clearTimeout(this.tapZoneTimer);
         this.tapZoneTimer = null;
       }
+      // Hide the chrome the moment a selection appears — it competes
+      // with the selection popover and handles for screen space.
+      if (hasSelection && this.chromeVisible) {
+        this.chromeVisible = false;
+        if (this.hideTimer) {
+          clearTimeout(this.hideTimer);
+          this.hideTimer = null;
+        }
+      }
     },
     attachTapZoneListeners(surface: HTMLElement, isDoc: boolean) {
       let downX = 0;