diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/canvas.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/canvas.rs
index 19bcb87e3..bf8a88563 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/canvas.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/canvas.rs
@@ -744,8 +744,10 @@ pub fn show(app: &mut DesignApp, ui: &mut egui::Ui) {
             None => c,
         };
         // A ruler guide being dragged keeps the cursor across it until it is dropped, over the
-        // canvas too (the tool's cursor took over as soon as the pointer left the ruler).
-        let c = match ui.data(|d| d.get_temp::<GuideDrag>(egui::Id::unique(GUIDE_DRAG))).map(|g| g.orientation) {
+        // canvas too (the tool's cursor took over as soon as the pointer left the ruler). Only
+        // while the button is down: a drag state left behind by a skipped release doesn't stick.
+        let dragging = ui.input(|i| i.pointer.primary_down());
+        let c = match ui.data(|d| d.get_temp::<GuideDrag>(egui::Id::unique(GUIDE_DRAG))).filter(|_| dragging).map(|g| g.orientation) {
             Some(designcraft_doc::Orientation::Horizontal) => Cursor::ResizeV,
             Some(designcraft_doc::Orientation::Vertical) => Cursor::ResizeH,
             None => c,