diff --git a/src/js/_enqueues/admin/edit-comments.js b/src/js/_enqueues/admin/edit-comments.js
index 96ca1f9f48..1d56e7c843 100644
--- a/src/js/_enqueues/admin/edit-comments.js
+++ b/src/js/_enqueues/admin/edit-comments.js
@@ -1019,7 +1019,8 @@ window.commentReply = {
 		}
 
 		setTimeout(function() {
-			var rtop, rbottom, scrollTop, vp, scrollBottom;
+			var rtop, rbottom, scrollTop, vp, scrollBottom,
+				isComposing = false;
 
 			rtop = $('#replyrow').offset().top;
 			rbottom = rtop + $('#replyrow').height();
@@ -1032,10 +1033,17 @@ window.commentReply = {
 			else if ( rtop - 20 < scrollTop )
 				window.scroll(0, rtop - 35);
 
-			$('#replycontent').trigger( 'focus' ).on( 'keyup', function(e){
-				if ( e.which == 27 )
-					commentReply.revert(); // Close on Escape.
-			});
+			$( '#replycontent' )
+				.trigger( 'focus' )
+				.on( 'keyup', function( e ) {
+					// Close on Escape except when Input Method Editors (IMEs) are in use.
+					if ( e.which === 27 && ! isComposing ) {
+						commentReply.revert();
+					}
+				} )
+				.on( 'compositionstart', function() {
+					isComposing = true;
+				} );
 		}, 600);
 
 		return false;