diff --git a/src/ui/public/visualize/spy.html b/src/ui/public/visualize/spy.html
index e2b9e487aa3dc..6bae91673d28a 100644
--- a/src/ui/public/visualize/spy.html
+++ b/src/ui/public/visualize/spy.html
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
   <div class="kuiBar kuiVerticalRhythm">
     <div class="kuiBarSection">
       <select
-        class="kuiSelect"
+        class="kuiSelect visualize-fixed-position"
         ng-model="selectedModeName"
         ng-change="onSpyModeChange()"
         data-test-subj="spyModeSelect"
diff --git a/src/ui/public/visualize/visualize.less b/src/ui/public/visualize/visualize.less
index 93f25c587244b..c67a0e302af40 100644
--- a/src/ui/public/visualize/visualize.less
+++ b/src/ui/public/visualize/visualize.less
@@ -152,6 +152,11 @@ visualize-spy {
   flex: 0 0 auto;
 }
 
+.visualize-fixed-position {
+	position: absolute;
+	z-index: 999;
+}
+
 .visualize-spy-content {
   position: relative;
 }