diff --git a/python/gui/auto_generated/annotations/qgsmaptoolmodifyannotation.sip.in b/python/gui/auto_generated/annotations/qgsmaptoolmodifyannotation.sip.in
index fe12e70bcc4d..6d7c49575f40 100644
--- a/python/gui/auto_generated/annotations/qgsmaptoolmodifyannotation.sip.in
+++ b/python/gui/auto_generated/annotations/qgsmaptoolmodifyannotation.sip.in
@@ -42,6 +42,11 @@ Constructor for QgsMapToolModifyAnnotation
     void itemSelected( QgsAnnotationLayer *layer, const QString &itemId );
 %Docstring
 Emitted when the selected item is changed.
+%End
+
+    void selectionCleared();
+%Docstring
+Emitted when the selected item is cleared;
 %End
 
 };
diff --git a/src/gui/annotations/qgsmaptoolmodifyannotation.cpp b/src/gui/annotations/qgsmaptoolmodifyannotation.cpp
index bd6d36eded02..eb09c49c0274 100644
--- a/src/gui/annotations/qgsmaptoolmodifyannotation.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/annotations/qgsmaptoolmodifyannotation.cpp
@@ -187,10 +187,7 @@ void QgsMapToolModifyAnnotation::cadCanvasPressEvent( QgsMapMouseEvent *event )
 
   if ( mHoveredItemId.isEmpty() || !mHoverRubberBand )
   {
-    if ( mSelectedRubberBand )
-      mSelectedRubberBand->hide();
-    mSelectedItemId.clear();
-    mSelectedItemLayerId.clear();
+    clearSelectedItem();
   }
   else if ( mHoveredItemId != mSelectedItemId || mHoveredItemLayerId != mSelectedItemLayerId )
   {
@@ -330,6 +327,18 @@ void QgsMapToolModifyAnnotation::clearHoveredItem()
   mHoveredItemNodesSpatialIndex.reset();
 }
 
+void QgsMapToolModifyAnnotation::clearSelectedItem()
+{
+  if ( mSelectedRubberBand )
+    mSelectedRubberBand->hide();
+
+  const bool hadSelection = !mSelectedItemId.isEmpty();
+  mSelectedItemId.clear();
+  mSelectedItemLayerId.clear();
+  if ( hadSelection )
+    emit selectionCleared();
+}
+
 void QgsMapToolModifyAnnotation::createHoverBand()
 {
   const double scaleFactor = canvas()->fontMetrics().xHeight() * .2;
diff --git a/src/gui/annotations/qgsmaptoolmodifyannotation.h b/src/gui/annotations/qgsmaptoolmodifyannotation.h
index e616f99fd0b5..834e51289f24 100644
--- a/src/gui/annotations/qgsmaptoolmodifyannotation.h
+++ b/src/gui/annotations/qgsmaptoolmodifyannotation.h
@@ -58,8 +58,14 @@ class GUI_EXPORT QgsMapToolModifyAnnotation : public QgsMapToolAdvancedDigitizin
      */
     void itemSelected( QgsAnnotationLayer *layer, const QString &itemId );
 
+    /**
+     * Emitted when the selected item is cleared;
+     */
+    void selectionCleared();
+
   private:
     void clearHoveredItem();
+    void clearSelectedItem();
     void createHoverBand();
     void createHoveredNodeBand();
     void createSelectedItemBand();
diff --git a/tests/src/app/testqgsmaptooleditannotation.cpp b/tests/src/app/testqgsmaptooleditannotation.cpp
index 22a41a55140b..749980d22224 100644
--- a/tests/src/app/testqgsmaptooleditannotation.cpp
+++ b/tests/src/app/testqgsmaptooleditannotation.cpp
@@ -139,6 +139,13 @@ void TestQgsMapToolEditAnnotation::testSelectItem()
   utils.mouseClick( 7.5, 1.5, Qt::LeftButton, Qt::KeyboardModifiers(), true );
   QCOMPARE( spy.count(), 3 );
   QCOMPARE( spy.at( 2 ).at( 1 ).toString(), i3id );
+
+  // click on no item - should clear selection
+  QSignalSpy selectionClearedSpy( &tool, &QgsMapToolModifyAnnotation::selectionCleared );
+  utils.mouseMove( 9.5, 9.5 );
+  utils.mouseClick( 9.5, 9.5, Qt::LeftButton, Qt::KeyboardModifiers(), true );
+  QCOMPARE( spy.count(), 3 );
+  QCOMPARE( selectionClearedSpy.count(), 1 );
 }