diff --git a/packages/libeufin-bank-webui/src/pages/OperationState/views.tsx b/packages/libeufin-bank-webui/src/pages/OperationState/views.tsx
index 5009adc5a..641986ff4 100644
--- a/packages/libeufin-bank-webui/src/pages/OperationState/views.tsx
+++ b/packages/libeufin-bank-webui/src/pages/OperationState/views.tsx
@@ -175,7 +175,13 @@ export function NeedConfirmationView({
         return;
       }
       if (!dialog.open) dialog.showModal();
-      titleRef.current?.focus();
+      // Start in the field the user has to fill when there is one: the cash
+      // amount, or the password when signing in first (the sign-in form's
+      // own focus ran before the dialog was shown).  Otherwise the title.
+      const field = dialog.querySelector<HTMLInputElement>(
+        "input:not([readonly]):not([disabled])",
+      );
+      (field ?? titleRef.current)?.focus();
     };
     openDialog();
     return () => {