diff --git a/config.el b/config.el
index 94fb09a..14ad115 100644
--- a/config.el
+++ b/config.el
@@ -1121,6 +1121,13 @@ Otherwise: runs interactive ement-connect, then opens rooms after sync."
     "a"  #'pdf-annot-add-highlight-markup-annotation
     "q"  #'quit-window))
 
+;; Re-activate Evil normal state when switching to a pdf-view window.
+;; Without this, j/k do not respond after SPC w w until the user clicks.
+(add-hook 'window-selection-change-functions
+          (lambda (_frame)
+            (when (derived-mode-p 'pdf-view-mode)
+              (evil-normal-state))))
+
 ;; Open PDFs from org export in Emacs (pdf-view-mode) instead of Preview
 (when (eq system-type 'darwin)
   (setq org-file-apps