diff --git a/crates/engine/src/cmd/gradient.rs b/crates/engine/src/cmd/gradient.rs
index c73a23d6c..8a3485c49 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/cmd/gradient.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/cmd/gradient.rs
@@ -80,19 +80,28 @@ fn select_stop(s: &mut Session, p: &Value) -> Result<Value> {
 }
 
 /// Whose gradient a selected stop belongs to: the active document, its first selected object
-/// (None: the default paint), the proxy in front and the Appearance panel's active item.
-/// Selecting other art, toggling the proxy or picking another item leaves no stop selected.
+/// (None: the default paint), whether a part of a symbol instance's art is picked, the proxy in
+/// front and the Appearance panel's active item. Selecting other art, picking a part of the
+/// instance, toggling the proxy or picking another item leaves no stop selected.
 #[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, PartialEq)]
 pub(crate) struct StopOwner {
     doc: Option<usize>,
     object: Option<NodeId>,
+    part: bool,
     fill: bool,
     item: Option<usize>,
 }
 
 impl StopOwner {
     pub(crate) fn of(s: &Session) -> Self {
-        Self { doc: s.active, object: s.active().and_then(|d| d.selection.objects.first().copied()), fill: s.fill_active, item: s.appearance_item() }
+        let st = s.active();
+        Self {
+            doc: s.active,
+            object: st.and_then(|d| d.selection.objects.first().copied()),
+            part: st.is_some_and(|d| d.selection.symbol_part.is_some()),
+            fill: s.fill_active,
+            item: s.appearance_item(),
+        }
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/tests/dynamic_symbols.rs b/crates/engine/src/tests/dynamic_symbols.rs
index eab2f3067..f4ae97bb1 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/tests/dynamic_symbols.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/tests/dynamic_symbols.rs
@@ -903,6 +903,29 @@ fn gradients_and_patterns_on_a_picked_object_are_taken() {
     assert_eq!((undo_steps(&s), &s.paint.fill), (undo, &fill), "nothing changes");
 }
 
+/// A stop selected on the whole instance's gradient is not selected once a part of its art is
+/// picked, so the Gradient tool does not take Delete for it, and is selected again when the whole
+/// instance is.
+#[test]
+fn picking_a_part_leaves_no_gradient_stop_selected() {
+    let mut s = session();
+    let inst = pair(&mut s, "dynamic");
+    let g = json!({"kind": "linear", "stops": [{"offset": 0, "color": "#ff0000"}, {"offset": 1, "color": "#0000ff"}]});
+    s.execute("select.set", &json!({"ids": [inst.0]})).unwrap();
+    s.execute("paint.setFill", &json!({"gradient": g})).unwrap();
+    s.fill_active = true;
+    let view = ViewInfo::default();
+    s.select_tool("gradient", view).unwrap();
+    s.execute("gradient.selectStop", &json!({"index": 1})).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(s.selected_stop(), Some(1));
+    assert!(s.tool_claims_key(vectorcraft_tools::ToolKey::Delete, view));
+    s.execute("symbol.instance.selectPart", &json!({"id": inst.0, "path": [1]})).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(s.selected_stop(), None);
+    assert!(!s.tool_claims_key(vectorcraft_tools::ToolKey::Delete, view));
+    s.execute("select.set", &json!({"ids": [inst.0]})).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(s.selected_stop(), Some(1));
+}
+
 #[test]
 fn opacity_and_blend_on_a_picked_object_go_through_transparency_set() {
     let mut s = session();