diff --git a/app/ui/lib/DialogOverlay.tsx b/app/ui/lib/DialogOverlay.tsx
index adceac41c7..1d12dabcba 100644
--- a/app/ui/lib/DialogOverlay.tsx
+++ b/app/ui/lib/DialogOverlay.tsx
@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@
  * Copyright Oxide Computer Company
  */
 
-export const DialogOverlay = () => (
-  <div aria-hidden className="fixed inset-0 z-10 overflow-auto bg-scrim" />
-)
+import { forwardRef } from 'react'
+
+export const DialogOverlay = forwardRef<HTMLDivElement>((_, ref) => (
+  <div ref={ref} aria-hidden className="fixed inset-0 z-10 overflow-auto bg-scrim" />
+))