diff --git a/source/blender/editors/space_node/node_edit.cc b/source/blender/editors/space_node/node_edit.cc
index 118a37060f2..99d6934b031 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/space_node/node_edit.cc
+++ b/source/blender/editors/space_node/node_edit.cc
@@ -2091,6 +2091,7 @@ static wmOperatorStatus node_delete_exec(bContext *C, wmOperator * /*op*/)
     }
   }
 
+  ED_node_set_active_viewer_key(snode);
   BKE_main_ensure_invariants(*bmain, snode->edittree->id);
 
   return OPERATOR_FINISHED;