diff --git a/python/GafferUI/NumericWidget.py b/python/GafferUI/NumericWidget.py
index c5fc9a76ebb..b0565e69c80 100644
--- a/python/GafferUI/NumericWidget.py
+++ b/python/GafferUI/NumericWidget.py
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ def __wheel( self, widget, event ) :
 
 		assert( widget is self )
 
-		if not self.getEditable() :
+		if not self.getEditable() or not self._qtWidget().hasFocus() or event.modifiers != GafferUI.ModifiableEvent.Modifiers.Control :
 			return False
 
 		self.__incrementIndex( self.getCursorPosition(), int( math.copysign( 1, event.wheelRotation ) ) )