diff --git a/src/generic/treectlg.cpp b/src/generic/treectlg.cpp
index f45fca5e24..ad360ca93d 100644
--- a/src/generic/treectlg.cpp
+++ b/src/generic/treectlg.cpp
@@ -3743,7 +3743,11 @@ void wxGenericTreeCtrl::OnMouse( wxMouseEvent &event )
 
         m_dragCount = 0;
 
-        if (item == NULL) return;  /* we hit the blank area */
+        if ( item == NULL )
+        {
+            event.Skip();
+            return;
+        }
 
         if ( event.RightDown() )
         {