diff --git a/internal/action/bufpane.go b/internal/action/bufpane.go
index 51d4ebd1..5d26907f 100644
--- a/internal/action/bufpane.go
+++ b/internal/action/bufpane.go
@@ -124,6 +124,8 @@ func BufMapKey(k Event, action string) {
 					break
 				}
 			}
+			// if the action changed the current pane, update the reference
+			h = MainTab().CurPane()
 		}
 		return true
 	}