diff --git a/app/assets/javascripts/clientUpdate.js b/app/assets/javascripts/clientUpdate.js
index 04a45e3dd..97a798637 100644
--- a/app/assets/javascripts/clientUpdate.js
+++ b/app/assets/javascripts/clientUpdate.js
@@ -12,6 +12,13 @@
         // updated once a download is started
         var updateSize = 0;
 
+        function cancelUpdate(e) {
+            if(e.ctrlKey && e.keyCode == 27) {
+                console.log("update canceled!");
+                $('#client_update').hide();
+                $('#client_update_overlay').hide();
+            }
+        }
 
         // responsible for updating the contents of the update dialog
         // as well as registering for any event handlers
@@ -21,8 +28,13 @@
 
             $('#client_update .dialog-inner').html(templateHtml);
 
+            $('#client_update').attr('data-mode', templateId);
+
             // assign click handlers
             if(templateId == "update-start") {
+
+                $('body').on('keyup', cancelUpdate);
+
                 $("#client_update a.close-application").click(function() {
                     // noop atm
                     return false;
@@ -34,6 +46,9 @@
                 })
             }
             else if(templateId == "update-downloading") {
+
+                $('body').off('keyup', cancelUpdate);
+
                 $("#client_update a.close-application").click(function() {
                     // noop atm
                     return false;