--- a/devtools/client/webconsole/hudservice.js
+++ b/devtools/client/webconsole/hudservice.js
@@ -584,21 +584,23 @@ WebConsole.prototype = {
       let popupset = this.mainPopupSet;
       let panels = popupset.querySelectorAll("panel[hudId=" + this.hudId + "]");
       for (let panel of panels) {
         panel.hidePopup();
       }
     }
 
     let onDestroy = Task.async(function*() {
-      try {
-        yield this.target.activeTab.focus()
-      }
-      catch (ex) {
-        // Tab focus can fail if the tab or target is closed.
+      if (!this._browserConsole) {
+        try {
+          yield this.target.activeTab.focus();
+        }
+        catch (ex) {
+          // Tab focus can fail if the tab or target is closed.
+        }
       }
 
       let id = WebConsoleUtils.supportsString(this.hudId);
       Services.obs.notifyObservers(id, "web-console-destroyed", null);
       this._destroyer.resolve(null);
     }.bind(this));
 
     if (this.ui) {