diff --git a/src/core_plugins/kibana/public/dashboard/styles/index.less b/src/core_plugins/kibana/public/dashboard/styles/index.less
index 41b4eb5a7a069..7b90cf6209410 100644
--- a/src/core_plugins/kibana/public/dashboard/styles/index.less
+++ b/src/core_plugins/kibana/public/dashboard/styles/index.less
@@ -59,9 +59,14 @@
   z-index: 5;
 }
 
+/**
+ * 1. override the z-index: 1 applied to all non-eui elements that are in :focus via kui
+ *      - see packages/kbn-ui-framework/src/global_styling/reset/_reset.scss
+ */
 .exitFullScreenMode:hover,
 .exitFullScreenMode:focus {
   transition: all .5s ease;
+  z-index: 10 !important; /* 1. */
 
   .exitFullScreenModeText {
     visibility: visible;