diff --git a/pkg/compose/up.go b/pkg/compose/up.go
index b2bcb3f7db..1018968ebe 100644
--- a/pkg/compose/up.go
+++ b/pkg/compose/up.go
@@ -111,8 +111,20 @@ func (s *composeService) Up(ctx context.Context, project *types.Project, options
 	globalCtx, cancel := context.WithCancel(ctx)
 	defer cancel()
 
+	// startCtx keeps service startup isolated from parent cancellation,
+	// while still allowing the interactive detach action to interrupt
+	// startup/wait and return control to the user.
+	startCtx, cancelStart := context.WithCancel(context.WithoutCancel(ctx))
+	defer cancelStart()
+
+	var isDetached atomic.Bool
+
 	if navigationMenu != nil {
-		navigationMenu.EnableDetach(cancel)
+		navigationMenu.EnableDetach(func() {
+			isDetached.Store(true)
+			cancelStart()
+			cancel()
+		})
 	}
 
 	var (
@@ -283,8 +295,12 @@ func (s *composeService) Up(ctx context.Context, project *types.Project, options
 	})
 
 	// We use the parent context without cancellation as we manage sigterm to stop the stack
-	err = s.start(context.WithoutCancel(ctx), project.Name, options.Start, printer.HandleEvent)
+	err = s.start(startCtx, project.Name, options.Start, printer.HandleEvent)
 	if err != nil && !isTerminated.Load() { // Ignore error if the process is terminated
+		if isDetached.Load() && errors.Is(err, context.Canceled) {
+			return nil
+		}
+
 		cancel()
 		_ = eg.Wait()
 		return err