diff --git a/crates/tools/src/nav.rs b/crates/tools/src/nav.rs
index 6af9761df..6fadf8bbf 100644
--- a/crates/tools/src/nav.rs
+++ b/crates/tools/src/nav.rs
@@ -173,9 +173,13 @@ impl Tool for PlaceGun {
     }
     fn key(&mut self, cx: &ToolContext, key: crate::ToolKey, _mods: Mods) -> Vec<Action> {
         use crate::ToolKey;
-        // Escape drops the current image and loads the next; `place.cancel` clears them all.
+        // Escape drops the current image and loads the next; `place.cancel` clears them all. With
+        // nothing loaded there is nothing to drop: Escape only leaves the tool.
         if key == ToolKey::Escape {
             self.start = None;
+            if cx.loaded.is_none() {
+                return vec![Action::SwitchTool("selection".into())];
+            }
             return vec![Action::Exec("place.skip".into(), json!({}))];
         }
         // During a drag the arrow keys change the grid, and are handled even when it is already
diff --git a/crates/tools/src/tests.rs b/crates/tools/src/tests.rs
index 1e898cb26..acbef71fa 100644
--- a/crates/tools/src/tests.rs
+++ b/crates/tools/src/tests.rs
@@ -2544,6 +2544,9 @@ fn place_gun_escape_skips_and_arrows_cycle_between_drags() {
     let _ = t.pointer(&cx, &PointerEvent::new(PointerKind::Down, 10.0, 10.0));
     let _ = t.pointer(&cx, &PointerEvent::new(PointerKind::Drag, 110.0, 60.0));
     assert_eq!(t.key(&cx, ToolKey::Right, Mods::default()), vec![Action::Handled]);
+    // Nothing loaded: Escape leaves the tool instead of asking to skip an image there isn't.
+    cx.loaded = None;
+    assert_eq!(t.key(&cx, ToolKey::Escape, Mods::default()), vec![Action::SwitchTool("selection".into())]);
 }
 
 /// A place-cursor grid drag too thin for its cells shows and places the single frame an ordinary