diff --git a/src/digital-components/textarea-question/textarea-question.vue b/src/digital-components/textarea-question/textarea-question.vue
index 83d718976..aa81c8286 100644
--- a/src/digital-components/textarea-question/textarea-question.vue
+++ b/src/digital-components/textarea-question/textarea-question.vue
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
             :aria-required="isRequired">
         </textarea>
         <p
-            tabindex="0"
+            tabindex="-1"
             class="caption mt-2 mb-0"
             id="charactersRemaining"
             :class="[urgentCountdown ? 'urgent-countdown' : '']">