diff --git a/core/client/views/base.js b/core/client/views/base.js
index aa93b16087..a4bc1636b6 100644
--- a/core/client/views/base.js
+++ b/core/client/views/base.js
@@ -161,6 +161,14 @@
             Ghost.on('urlchange', function () {
                 self.clearEverything();
             });
+            shortcut.add("ESC", function () {
+                // Make sure there isn't currently an open modal, as the escape key should close that first.
+                // This is a temporary solution to enable closing extra-long notifications, and should be refactored
+                // into something more robust in future
+                if ($('.js-modal').length < 1) {
+                    self.clearEverything();
+                }
+            });
         },
         events: {
             'animationend .js-notification': 'removeItem',