diff --git a/artiq/gui/explorer.py b/artiq/gui/explorer.py
index e492aea5d..bdb456323 100644
--- a/artiq/gui/explorer.py
+++ b/artiq/gui/explorer.py
@@ -160,16 +160,19 @@ class ExplorerDock(dockarea.Dock):
         open_action.triggered.connect(
             partial(self.expname_action, "open_experiment"))
         open_action.setShortcut("RETURN")
+        open_action.setShortcutContext(QtCore.Qt.WidgetShortcut)
         self.el.addAction(open_action)
         submit_action = QtGui.QAction("Submit", self.el)
         submit_action.triggered.connect(
             partial(self.expname_action, "submit"))
         submit_action.setShortcut("CTRL+RETURN")
+        submit_action.setShortcutContext(QtCore.Qt.WidgetShortcut)
         self.el.addAction(submit_action)
         reqterm_action = QtGui.QAction("Request termination of instances", self.el)
         reqterm_action.triggered.connect(
             partial(self.expname_action, "request_inst_term"))
         reqterm_action.setShortcut("CTRL+BACKSPACE")
+        reqterm_action.setShortcutContext(QtCore.Qt.WidgetShortcut)
         self.el.addAction(reqterm_action)
 
         set_shortcut_menu = QtGui.QMenu()
diff --git a/artiq/gui/schedule.py b/artiq/gui/schedule.py
index c7a0479ae..466b69098 100644
--- a/artiq/gui/schedule.py
+++ b/artiq/gui/schedule.py
@@ -77,10 +77,12 @@ class ScheduleDock(dockarea.Dock):
         request_termination_action = QtGui.QAction("Request termination", self.table)
         request_termination_action.triggered.connect(partial(self.delete_clicked, True))
         request_termination_action.setShortcut("DELETE")
+        request_termination_action.setShortcutContext(QtCore.Qt.WidgetShortcut)
         self.table.addAction(request_termination_action)
         delete_action = QtGui.QAction("Delete", self.table)
         delete_action.triggered.connect(partial(self.delete_clicked, False))
         delete_action.setShortcut("SHIFT+DELETE")
+        delete_action.setShortcutContext(QtCore.Qt.WidgetShortcut)
         self.table.addAction(delete_action)
 
         self.table_model = Model(dict())