diff --git a/internal/ui/model.go b/internal/ui/model.go
index 70c966f..5ea280b 100644
--- a/internal/ui/model.go
+++ b/internal/ui/model.go
@@ -1761,6 +1761,12 @@ func (m *Model) scrollMain(delta int) {
 		m.textTop = clamp(m.textTop+delta, 0, maxi(0, len(m.textLines)-(m.layout().midH-2)))
 		return
 	}
+	if m.mode == modeShell {
+		// The pane shows the shell, so the table behind it is not what the
+		// wheel is over. Falling through moved its selection, and detaching
+		// then landed on a different row.
+		return
+	}
 	_, rows := m.tableData()
 	m.rowIdx = clamp(m.rowIdx+delta, 0, maxi(0, len(rows)-1))
 	m.rowMem[m.curKind().Key] = m.rowIdx
diff --git a/internal/ui/shell_test.go b/internal/ui/shell_test.go
index c07e772..5bc71bf 100644
--- a/internal/ui/shell_test.go
+++ b/internal/ui/shell_test.go
@@ -212,6 +212,26 @@ func TestShellSizedToThePanel(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+// The table is hidden behind the shell, so the wheel over the pane must not
+// move its selection: detaching would land on a different row.
+func TestWheelOverTheShellLeavesTheTableAlone(t *testing.T) {
+	m, sh := newShellModel(t)
+	openShell(t, m, sh)
+	kind := m.curKind().Key
+	rowBefore, memBefore := m.rowIdx, m.rowMem[kind]
+
+	l := m.layout()
+	m.handleMouse(wheel(l.leftW+5, l.midY+4, false))
+	m.handleMouse(wheel(l.leftW+5, l.midY+4, false))
+
+	if m.rowIdx != rowBefore || m.rowMem[kind] != memBefore {
+		t.Errorf("wheel over the shell moved the table: row %d -> %d", rowBefore, m.rowIdx)
+	}
+	if m.mode != modeShell {
+		t.Errorf("mode = %v, want the shell to stay open", m.mode)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestNoShellFallsBackToAToast(t *testing.T) {
 	m := newTestModel(t, mock.New("")) // demo backend has no shell
 	dismissOnboarding(m)