diff --git a/js/lib/d3.combobox.js b/js/lib/d3.combobox.js
index 44686cdfd..2f79a0848 100644
--- a/js/lib/d3.combobox.js
+++ b/js/lib/d3.combobox.js
@@ -20,8 +20,10 @@ d3.combobox = function() {
 
         selection.append('div', input)
             .attr('class', 'combobox-carat')
-            .on('mousedown', stop)
             .on('mousedown', function() {
+                // prevent the form element from blurring. it blurs
+                // on mousedown
+                d3.event.stopPropagation();
                 d3.event.preventDefault();
                 mousedown();
             });
@@ -35,13 +37,6 @@ d3.combobox = function() {
             });
         }
 
-        function stop() {
-            // prevent the form element from blurring. it blurs
-            // on mousedown
-            d3.event.stopPropagation();
-            d3.event.preventDefault();
-        }
-
         function blur() {
             // hide the combobox whenever the input element
             // loses focus