diff --git a/.changeset/few-dodos-watch.md b/.changeset/few-dodos-watch.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..995a4c0f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/few-dodos-watch.md
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+'nuka-carousel': patch
+---
+
+slider-frame is no longer a focus target if enableKeyboardControls is false
diff --git a/packages/nuka/src/carousel.tsx b/packages/nuka/src/carousel.tsx
index 87e3c347..1022bafb 100644
--- a/packages/nuka/src/carousel.tsx
+++ b/packages/nuka/src/carousel.tsx
@@ -646,7 +646,7 @@ export const Carousel = (rawProps: CarouselProps): React.ReactElement => {
         }}
         aria-label={frameAriaLabel}
         role="region"
-        tabIndex={0}
+        tabIndex={enableKeyboardControls ? 0 : -1}
         onKeyDown={enableKeyboardControls ? onKeyDown : undefined}
         ref={carouselRef}
         onMouseUp={onMouseUp}