diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 83861a8d0..dc1e4b745 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 
 ### Changed
 
+- Improved the usability of the create watchlist item dialog by setting the initial focus to the search field
 - Migrated the abstract _Material_ form field from a component to a directive
 
 ## 3.43.0 - 2026-08-06
diff --git a/apps/client/src/app/components/home-watchlist/home-watchlist.component.ts b/apps/client/src/app/components/home-watchlist/home-watchlist.component.ts
index 0107f36a2..97fa6f744 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/app/components/home-watchlist/home-watchlist.component.ts
+++ b/apps/client/src/app/components/home-watchlist/home-watchlist.component.ts
@@ -146,7 +146,6 @@ export class GfHomeWatchlistComponent implements OnInit {
           GfCreateWatchlistItemDialogComponent,
           CreateWatchlistItemDialogParams
         >(GfCreateWatchlistItemDialogComponent, {
-          autoFocus: false,
           data: {
             deviceType: this.deviceType(),
             locale: this.user?.settings?.locale ?? DEFAULT_LOCALE