diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/person/genealogy/panZoomGestures.ts b/frontend/src/lib/person/genealogy/panZoomGestures.ts
index 8173d93c..45f6bf52 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/person/genealogy/panZoomGestures.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/person/genealogy/panZoomGestures.ts
@@ -104,11 +104,11 @@ export const panZoomGestures: Action<SVGSVGElement, PanZoomGesturesParams> = (no
 
 	const onPointerDown = (e: PointerEvent) => {
 		cancelInertia();
-		try {
-			node.setPointerCapture(e.pointerId);
-		} catch {
-			/* pointer not capturable (e.g. synthetic event) — drag still works */
-		}
+		// NB: do NOT capture the pointer here — capturing on pointerdown makes the
+		// browser dispatch the trailing `click` at this element instead of the
+		// node under the pointer, which silently breaks node selection (a tap must
+		// still reach the node's onclick). Capture is deferred to the first move
+		// that crosses the drag threshold (see onPointerMove).
 		pointers.set(e.pointerId, { x: e.clientX, y: e.clientY });
 		p.onGestureStart?.();
 
@@ -146,7 +146,17 @@ export const panZoomGestures: Action<SVGSVGElement, PanZoomGesturesParams> = (no
 		if (!dragging) return;
 		const dxPx = e.clientX - lastX;
 		const dyPx = e.clientY - lastY;
-		if (!moved && Math.hypot(dxPx, dyPx) >= DRAG_THRESHOLD_PX) moved = true;
+		if (!moved && Math.hypot(dxPx, dyPx) >= DRAG_THRESHOLD_PX) {
+			// A real drag has started — now capture so we keep receiving move/up
+			// even if the pointer leaves the canvas. (Deferred from pointerdown so
+			// taps still select nodes.)
+			moved = true;
+			try {
+				node.setPointerCapture(e.pointerId);
+			} catch {
+				/* pointer not capturable (e.g. synthetic event) — drag still works */
+			}
+		}
 
 		const { dx, dy } = screenDeltaToSvg(
 			dxPx,