diff --git a/app/src/main/java/org/schabi/newpipe/player/Player.java b/app/src/main/java/org/schabi/newpipe/player/Player.java
index 85a50cb23..97c06dce9 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/org/schabi/newpipe/player/Player.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/org/schabi/newpipe/player/Player.java
@@ -3215,6 +3215,9 @@ public final class Player implements
                         binding.itemsListPanel.setTranslationY(
                                 -binding.itemsListPanel.getHeight() * 5);
                     });
+
+            // clear focus, otherwise a white rectangle remains on top of the player
+            binding.itemsListClose.clearFocus();
             binding.playPauseButton.requestFocus();
         }
     }
diff --git a/app/src/main/res/layout/player.xml b/app/src/main/res/layout/player.xml
index 1fc769c18..839b98680 100644
--- a/app/src/main/res/layout/player.xml
+++ b/app/src/main/res/layout/player.xml
@@ -545,9 +545,7 @@
         <RelativeLayout
             android:id="@+id/itemsListControl"
             android:layout_width="match_parent"
-            android:layout_height="60dp"
-            android:clickable="true"
-            android:focusable="true">
+            android:layout_height="60dp">
 
             <androidx.appcompat.widget.AppCompatTextView
                 android:id="@+id/itemsListHeaderTitle"