diff --git a/qrenderdoc/Code/QRDUtils.cpp b/qrenderdoc/Code/QRDUtils.cpp
index 6f1ca1bac..8b5a36ba3 100644
--- a/qrenderdoc/Code/QRDUtils.cpp
+++ b/qrenderdoc/Code/QRDUtils.cpp
@@ -372,6 +372,11 @@ void GUIInvoke::call(const std::function<void()> &f)
     return;
   }
 
+  defer(f);
+}
+
+void GUIInvoke::defer(const std::function<void()> &f)
+{
   GUIInvoke *invoke = new GUIInvoke(f);
   invoke->moveToThread(qApp->thread());
   invoke->metaObject()->method(methodIndex).invoke(invoke, Qt::QueuedConnection);
diff --git a/qrenderdoc/Code/QRDUtils.h b/qrenderdoc/Code/QRDUtils.h
index 70ff9184b..27b183b64 100644
--- a/qrenderdoc/Code/QRDUtils.h
+++ b/qrenderdoc/Code/QRDUtils.h
@@ -177,6 +177,9 @@ public:
   static void blockcall(const std::function<void()> &f);
   static bool onUIThread();
 
+  // same as call() above, but it doesn't check for an instant call on the UI thread
+  static void defer(const std::function<void()> &f);
+
 protected slots:
   void doInvoke()
   {
diff --git a/qrenderdoc/Windows/MainWindow.cpp b/qrenderdoc/Windows/MainWindow.cpp
index a686683b9..01ff36a7a 100644
--- a/qrenderdoc/Windows/MainWindow.cpp
+++ b/qrenderdoc/Windows/MainWindow.cpp
@@ -1776,7 +1776,11 @@ void MainWindow::dropEvent(QDropEvent *event)
 {
   QString fn = dragFilename(event->mimeData());
   if(!fn.isEmpty())
-    LoadFromFilename(fn, false);
+  {
+    // we defer this so we can return immediately and unblock whichever application dropped the
+    // item.
+    GUIInvoke::defer([this, fn]() { LoadFromFilename(fn, false); });
+  }
 }
 
 void MainWindow::LoadSaveLayout(QAction *action, bool save)