diff --git a/linux/CHANGELOG.md b/linux/CHANGELOG.md
index bcf67f7..7558ddf 100644
--- a/linux/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/linux/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -9,6 +9,21 @@ The version is defined in [`blitztext/__init__.py`](blitztext/__init__.py).
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+## [2.03.26] - 2026-06-10
+
+### Fixed
+- **Cancel key now works during wakeword-triggered recording.** Previously the
+  `ModifierScheme` state machine stayed in "idle" when the wakeword fired
+  (it bypasses the key-press path), so the cancel hotkey was silently ignored.
+  It now checks `daemon.is_recording` as a fallback so it fires regardless of
+  how recording started.
+
+### Added
+- **"✕ Cancel recording" in the tray menu.** Always visible; grayed out when
+  idle, enabled as soon as recording starts (wakeword or manual). The primary
+  escape hatch when the wakeword fires on audiobook / TV audio and spoken
+  cancel words can't be heard over the background audio.
+
 ## [2.03.25] - 2026-06-10
 
 ### Changed
diff --git a/linux/blitztext/__init__.py b/linux/blitztext/__init__.py
index 7a3d611..044b766 100644
--- a/linux/blitztext/__init__.py
+++ b/linux/blitztext/__init__.py
@@ -6,4 +6,4 @@ counterpart to the macOS Blitztext menu bar app: it runs natively on the host
 (not in a container) so it can type into any application via xdotool.
 """
 
-__version__ = "2.03.25"
+__version__ = "2.03.26"
diff --git a/linux/blitztext/inputmode.py b/linux/blitztext/inputmode.py
index cee29a6..53b15c3 100644
--- a/linux/blitztext/inputmode.py
+++ b/linux/blitztext/inputmode.py
@@ -74,18 +74,21 @@ class ModifierScheme:
             return
         self._pressed.add(token)
 
+        # Cancel works while arming/armed AND when the daemon is recording via
+        # wakeword (state stays "idle" in the scheme because wakeword bypasses
+        # the key-press path entirely).
+        if self._is(token, self.cancel) and (
+                self._state != "idle" or self.daemon.is_recording):
+            self._state = "idle"
+            self.daemon.cancel_dictation()
+            return
+
         if self._state == "idle":
             if self.start.issubset(self._pressed):
                 self._state = "arming"
                 self.daemon.start_dictation()
             return
 
-        # Cancel works while arming or armed.
-        if self._is(token, self.cancel):
-            self._state = "idle"
-            self.daemon.cancel_dictation()
-            return
-
         if self._state == "armed":
             if self._is(token, self.send):
                 self._state = "idle"
diff --git a/linux/blitztext/tray.py b/linux/blitztext/tray.py
index 0ce1de8..9e305bf 100644
--- a/linux/blitztext/tray.py
+++ b/linux/blitztext/tray.py
@@ -88,6 +88,15 @@ class Tray:
 
         menu.append(Gtk.SeparatorMenuItem())
 
+        # Cancel recording — always visible, only sensitive while recording.
+        # Primary escape hatch when wakeword fires on audiobook/TV audio.
+        self.cancel_item = Gtk.MenuItem(label="✕  Cancel recording")
+        self.cancel_item.set_sensitive(False)
+        self.cancel_item.connect(
+            "activate", lambda _i: self.app.daemon.cancel_dictation())
+        menu.append(self.cancel_item)
+        menu.append(Gtk.SeparatorMenuItem())
+
         # Hands-free wakeword: a reversible pause toggle. Without this, a stale
         # /tmp/wake_muted flag would silently disable detection with no way back.
         if getattr(self.app.cfg, "wakeword_enabled", False):
@@ -120,6 +129,8 @@ class Tray:
     def update_status(self, state: str, message: str) -> None:
         self.indicator.set_icon_full(ICONS.get(state, ICONS["idle"]), state)
         self.status_item.set_label(f"● {message or state.title()}")
+        if hasattr(self, "cancel_item"):
+            self.cancel_item.set_sensitive(state in ("recording", "armed", "busy"))
 
     def pump(self) -> None:
         """Service pending GLib/GTK events; called from tkinter's loop."""