diff --git a/app/assets/stylesheets/common/base/topic-footer.scss b/app/assets/stylesheets/common/base/topic-footer.scss
index 68493bc9bb7..0e7b861428a 100644
--- a/app/assets/stylesheets/common/base/topic-footer.scss
+++ b/app/assets/stylesheets/common/base/topic-footer.scss
@@ -43,6 +43,11 @@
   position: sticky;
   bottom: calc(env(safe-area-inset-bottom) + var(--composer-height, 0px));
   z-index: z("timeline");
+  pointer-events: none; // the wrapper can block mobile controls
+
+  #topic-progress-wrapper {
+    pointer-events: auto; // this unsets the above rule so the element is interactive
+  }
 }
 
 #topic-progress-wrapper {