diff --git a/buzz/widgets/transcription_viewer/transcription_segments_editor_widget.py b/buzz/widgets/transcription_viewer/transcription_segments_editor_widget.py
index b50c75ce..a9cb4896 100644
--- a/buzz/widgets/transcription_viewer/transcription_segments_editor_widget.py
+++ b/buzz/widgets/transcription_viewer/transcription_segments_editor_widget.py
@@ -80,6 +80,7 @@ class TranscriptionSegmentsEditorWidget(QTableView):
     ):
         super().__init__(parent)
 
+        self._last_highlighted_row = -1
         self.translator = translator
         self.translator.translation.connect(self.update_translation)
 
@@ -186,6 +187,11 @@ class TranscriptionSegmentsEditorWidget(QTableView):
     def highlight_and_scroll_to_row(self, row_index: int):
         """Highlight a specific row and scroll it into view"""
         if 0 <= row_index < self.model().rowCount():
+            # Only set focus if we're actually moving to a different row to avoid audio crackling
+            if self._last_highlighted_row != row_index:
+                self.setFocus()
+                self._last_highlighted_row = row_index
+            
             # Select the row
             self.selectRow(row_index)
             # Scroll to the row with better positioning