diff --git a/frontend/src/components/session/BranchNode.tsx b/frontend/src/components/session/BranchNode.tsx
index 9aef80f3..ad8ea629 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/session/BranchNode.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/session/BranchNode.tsx
@@ -97,11 +97,8 @@ export function BranchNode({ branch, depth, isActive, onClick }: BranchNodeProps
       {/* Expanded card — floats directly on top of the base card */}
       {showExpanded && (
         <>
-          {/* Scrim behind to dim everything — dismisses on mouse enter */}
-          <div
-            className="fixed inset-0 z-40 bg-black/30"
-            onMouseEnter={() => setIsHovered(false)}
-          />
+          {/* Visual dim — pointer-events-none so clicks pass through to cards */}
+          <div className="fixed inset-0 z-40 bg-black/30 pointer-events-none" />
 
           {/* Expanded card positioned over the original */}
           <div