diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/panels/character.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/panels/character.rs
index 98c3be6bc..068094eee 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/panels/character.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/panels/character.rs
@@ -317,10 +317,10 @@ fn caret_kerning(app: &VectorcraftApp, ui: &Ui) -> Option<(f64, bool)> {
 }
 
 /// The check marks of the Kerning menu's Auto and Optical entries for the selection's kerning
-/// `mode` (Optical on, manual value). A selection that mixes modes checks neither, and the menu
-/// still lists both.
+/// `mode` (Optical on, manual value). A manual value checks neither, as it sets the spacing even
+/// with Optical on. A selection that mixes modes checks neither, and the menu still lists both.
 fn kerning_methods(mode: Option<(bool, Option<f64>)>) -> (Option<bool>, Option<bool>) {
-    let (automatic, optical) = mode.map_or((false, false), |(optical, manual)| (!optical && manual.is_none(), optical));
+    let (automatic, optical) = mode.map_or((false, false), |(optical, manual)| (!optical && manual.is_none(), optical && manual.is_none()));
     (Some(automatic), Some(optical))
 }
 
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/panels/character/tests.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/panels/character/tests.rs
index 7cdfddad3..4a4264fe7 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/panels/character/tests.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/panels/character/tests.rs
@@ -278,6 +278,21 @@ fn kerning_menu_lists_auto_and_optical_for_mixed_modes() {
     assert_eq!(kerning_methods(mode), (Some(false), Some(false)), "both entries are listed, neither checked");
 }
 
+/// A number typed into the Kerning field after Optical keeps the Optical flag on the type, and
+/// the manual value sets the spacing; the menu then checks neither Auto nor Optical.
+#[test]
+fn kerning_menu_checks_neither_method_for_a_manual_value_after_optical() {
+    let mut app = VectorcraftApp::new(Session::new(), Default::default());
+    app.run("file.new", json!({"width": 300, "height": 200})).unwrap();
+    let a = app.run("text.create", json!({"x": 20, "y": 50, "text": "AV", "size": 12})).unwrap()["id"].clone();
+    app.run("select.set", json!({"ids": [a]})).unwrap();
+    app.run("text.setFormat", json!({"kerning": "optical"})).unwrap();
+    app.run("text.setFormat", json!({"kerning": 50})).unwrap();
+    let mode = shared(&app, |s| (s.optical_kerning, s.kerning));
+    assert_eq!(mode, Some((true, Some(50.0))), "the manual value keeps the Optical flag");
+    assert_eq!(kerning_methods(mode), (Some(false), Some(false)), "a manual value checks neither method");
+}
+
 /// Highlight Kerning and Highlight Tracking show the Character panel and give its field the
 /// keyboard focus with the value selected: what is typed replaces it, and Enter applies it.
 /// Highlight Font Name opens the font family menu with its search field focused. Without