diff --git a/frontend/src/__tests__/dashboard.test.ts b/frontend/src/__tests__/dashboard.test.ts
index 6167608a8..9130d35f4 100644
--- a/frontend/src/__tests__/dashboard.test.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/__tests__/dashboard.test.ts
@@ -742,6 +742,13 @@ describe('Dashboard Module', () => {
         expect(document.activeElement).toBe(viewBtn);
       });
 
+      // #1653: opening the dialog must not put focus on the destructive action.
+      test('initial focus lands on Close, not Cancel Purchase', async () => {
+        const { modal } = await openDetails();
+        expect(modal.querySelector('#cancel-purchase-detail-btn')).not.toBeNull();
+        expect(document.activeElement?.id).toBe('close-purchase-details-btn');
+      });
+
       test('Cancel Purchase uses the card confirm copy and sends one DELETE while in flight', async () => {
         const { modal } = await openDetails();
         let finishDelete: () => void = () => {};
diff --git a/frontend/src/dashboard.ts b/frontend/src/dashboard.ts
index 12fe45c1d..b069ddaa3 100644
--- a/frontend/src/dashboard.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/dashboard.ts
@@ -688,7 +688,8 @@ function viewPurchaseDetails(executionId: string): void {
   document.body.appendChild(modal);
   // Focus moves into the dialog, Tab is trapped, Escape closes it and focus
   // returns to View Details (#731). Every close path removes the element.
-  openModal(modal, { onClose: () => modal.remove() });
+  // Initial focus goes to Close, not the destructive Cancel Purchase (#1653).
+  openModal(modal, { initialFocus: '#close-purchase-details-btn', onClose: () => modal.remove() });
 }
 
 // buildUpcomingDetailsModal constructs the dialog via DOM-API, not
diff --git a/frontend/tests-e2e/dialog-focus.spec.ts b/frontend/tests-e2e/dialog-focus.spec.ts
index a4265d504..845fec162 100644
--- a/frontend/tests-e2e/dialog-focus.spec.ts
+++ b/frontend/tests-e2e/dialog-focus.spec.ts
@@ -50,7 +50,9 @@ test('upcoming purchase details dialog takes focus, closes on Escape and restore
 
   const dialog = page.getByRole('dialog', { name: 'Upcoming Purchase Details' });
   await expect(dialog).toBeVisible();
-  expect(await page.evaluate(() => !!document.getElementById('purchase-details-modal')?.contains(document.activeElement))).toBe(true);
+  // #1653: the safe Close button takes focus, not the destructive Cancel Purchase.
+  await expect(dialog.locator('#cancel-purchase-detail-btn')).toBeVisible();
+  await expect(dialog.locator('#close-purchase-details-btn')).toBeFocused();
   expect(await tabStaysInside(page, '#purchase-details-modal', 5)).toBe(true);
 
   await page.keyboard.press('Escape');