diff --git a/accessible/clipboard.service.js b/accessible/clipboard.service.js
index ed6d4e428..3aec5cc11 100644
--- a/accessible/clipboard.service.js
+++ b/accessible/clipboard.service.js
@@ -46,6 +46,13 @@ blocklyApp.ClipboardService = ng.core
           this.areConnectionsCompatible_(connection, superiorConnection) ||
           this.areConnectionsCompatible_(connection, nextConnection));
     },
+    getMarkedConnectionBlock: function() {
+      if (!this.markedConnection_) {
+        return null;
+      } else {
+        return this.markedConnection_.getSourceBlock();
+      }
+    },
     isMovableToMarkedConnection: function(block) {
       // It should not be possible to move any ancestor of the block containing
       // the marked spot to the marked spot.
@@ -53,7 +60,7 @@ blocklyApp.ClipboardService = ng.core
         return false;
       }
 
-      var markedSpotAncestorBlock = this.markedConnection_.getSourceBlock();
+      var markedSpotAncestorBlock = this.getMarkedConnectionBlock();
       while (markedSpotAncestorBlock) {
         if (markedSpotAncestorBlock.id == block.id) {
           return false;
diff --git a/accessible/toolbox-tree.component.js b/accessible/toolbox-tree.component.js
index c78c9e40b..ee1486029 100644
--- a/accessible/toolbox-tree.component.js
+++ b/accessible/toolbox-tree.component.js
@@ -149,11 +149,15 @@ blocklyApp.ToolboxTreeComponent = ng.core
       this.clipboardService.copy(this.block, true);
     },
     copyToMarkedSpot: function() {
-      // This involves two steps:
+      // This involves the following steps:
+      // - Clear screenreader focus on the destination tree.
       // - Put the block on the destination tree.
       // - Change the current tree-level focus to the destination tree, and the
       // screenreader focus for the destination tree to the block just moved.
       var blockDescription = this.getBlockDescription();
+      var destinationTreeId = this.treeService.getTreeIdForBlock(
+          this.clipboardService.getMarkedConnectionBlock().id);
+      this.treeService.clearActiveDesc(destinationTreeId);
 
       var newBlockId = this.clipboardService.pasteToMarkedConnection(
           this.block);
@@ -161,7 +165,6 @@ blocklyApp.ToolboxTreeComponent = ng.core
       // Invoke a digest cycle, so that the DOM settles.
       var that = this;
       setTimeout(function() {
-        var destinationTreeId = that.treeService.getTreeIdForBlock(newBlockId);
         document.getElementById(destinationTreeId).focus();
         that.treeService.setActiveDesc(
             newBlockId + 'blockRoot', destinationTreeId);
diff --git a/accessible/workspace-tree.component.js b/accessible/workspace-tree.component.js
index c68d3fbf4..e409c6980 100644
--- a/accessible/workspace-tree.component.js
+++ b/accessible/workspace-tree.component.js
@@ -203,6 +203,9 @@ blocklyApp.WorkspaceTreeComponent = ng.core
       // - Change the current tree-level focus to the destination tree, and the
       // screenreader focus for the destination tree to the block just moved.
       var blockDescription = this.getBlockDescription();
+      var destinationTreeId = this.treeService.getTreeIdForBlock(
+          this.clipboardService.getMarkedConnectionBlock().id);
+      this.treeService.clearActiveDesc(destinationTreeId);
 
       var newBlockId = this.clipboardService.pasteToMarkedConnection(
           this.block);
@@ -214,9 +217,6 @@ blocklyApp.WorkspaceTreeComponent = ng.core
 
       // Invoke a digest cycle, so that the DOM settles.
       setTimeout(function() {
-        var destinationTreeId = that.treeService.getTreeIdForBlock(newBlockId);
-        that.treeService.clearActiveDesc(destinationTreeId);
-
         document.getElementById(destinationTreeId).focus();
         that.treeService.setActiveDesc(
             newBlockId + 'blockRoot', destinationTreeId);