diff --git a/components/email/__tests__/composer-mention.test.tsx b/components/email/__tests__/composer-mention.test.tsx
index f11d5ad8f..d50d46ad5 100644
--- a/components/email/__tests__/composer-mention.test.tsx
+++ b/components/email/__tests__/composer-mention.test.tsx
@@ -538,6 +538,14 @@ describe('composer with the @ recipient list', () => {
     expect(onClose).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
   });
 
+  it('pulls the last recipient back whole on Backspace, without the key deleting its last character', async () => {
+    await renderComposer({ to: 'Sarah Kim <sarah@example.com>' });
+    const to = within(screen.getByTestId('composer-to')).getByRole('combobox') as HTMLInputElement;
+    // fireEvent returns false when the handler stopped the key's default action.
+    expect(fireEvent.keyDown(to, { key: 'Backspace' })).toBe(false);
+    expect(to.value).toBe('Sarah Kim <sarah@example.com>');
+  });
+
   // The directory picker is drawn inside the composer itself, not portaled.
   it('lets Escape in the directory picker leave the composer alone', async () => {
     // Every other capability answers nothing.
diff --git a/components/email/email-composer.tsx b/components/email/email-composer.tsx
index 2b0a747b3..ff70190e4 100644
--- a/components/email/email-composer.tsx
+++ b/components/email/email-composer.tsx
@@ -5930,6 +5930,8 @@ export function RecipientChipInput({
     // Backspace on an empty input pulls the last chip back into the input for
     // quick editing.
     if (e.key === 'Backspace' && !inputText && chips.length > 0) {
+      // Or the key goes on to delete the closing ">" of what was just put back.
+      e.preventDefault();
       const lastChip = chips[chips.length - 1];
       onChipsChange(chips.slice(0, -1));
       onInputChange(formatRecipient(lastChip.name, lastChip.email));