diff --git a/packages/stream_chat_flutter/lib/src/message_input.dart b/packages/stream_chat_flutter/lib/src/message_input.dart
index 08fc2a7b..a08c799b 100644
--- a/packages/stream_chat_flutter/lib/src/message_input.dart
+++ b/packages/stream_chat_flutter/lib/src/message_input.dart
@@ -204,6 +204,7 @@ class MessageInput extends StatefulWidget {
     this.commandButtonBuilder,
     this.customOverlays = const [],
     this.mentionAllAppUsers = false,
+    this.shouldKeepFocusAfterMessage,
   })  : assert(
           initialMessage == null || editMessage == null,
           "Can't provide both `initialMessage` and `editMessage`",
@@ -322,6 +323,8 @@ class MessageInput extends StatefulWidget {
   /// Defaults to false.
   final bool mentionAllAppUsers;
 
+  final bool? shouldKeepFocusAfterMessage;
+
   @override
   MessageInputState createState() => MessageInputState();
 
@@ -1759,7 +1762,9 @@ class MessageInputState extends State<MessageInput> {
       return;
     }
 
-    final shouldUnfocus = _commandEnabled;
+    var shouldKeepFocus = widget.shouldKeepFocusAfterMessage;
+
+    shouldKeepFocus ??= !_commandEnabled;
 
     if (_commandEnabled) {
       text = '${'/${_chosenCommand!.name} '}$text';
@@ -1822,8 +1827,10 @@ class MessageInputState extends State<MessageInput> {
         sendingFuture = channel.updateMessage(message);
       }
 
-      if (!shouldUnfocus) {
+      if (shouldKeepFocus) {
         FocusScope.of(context).requestFocus(_focusNode);
+      } else {
+        FocusScope.of(context).unfocus();
       }
 
       final resp = await sendingFuture;
diff --git a/packages/stream_chat_flutter/lib/src/message_list_view.dart b/packages/stream_chat_flutter/lib/src/message_list_view.dart
index 5424a1c2..a91c44db 100644
--- a/packages/stream_chat_flutter/lib/src/message_list_view.dart
+++ b/packages/stream_chat_flutter/lib/src/message_list_view.dart
@@ -444,7 +444,7 @@ class _MessageListViewState extends State<MessageListView> {
               message: statusString,
               child: LazyLoadScrollView(
                 onPageScrollStart: () {
-                  FocusScope.of(context).unfocus();
+                  //FocusScope.of(context).unfocus();
                 },
                 onStartOfPage: () async {
                   _inBetweenList = false;