diff --git a/core/blockly.js b/core/blockly.js
index 90ae7568f..e54a8311b 100644
--- a/core/blockly.js
+++ b/core/blockly.js
@@ -211,7 +211,7 @@ Blockly.onKeyDown_ = function(e) {
     // data loss.
     e.preventDefault();
     // Don't delete while dragging.  Jeez.
-    if (workspace.isDragging()) {
+    if (Blockly.Gesture.inProgress()) {
       return;
     }
     if (Blockly.selected && Blockly.selected.isDeletable()) {
@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@ Blockly.onKeyDown_ = function(e) {
     }
   } else if (e.altKey || e.ctrlKey || e.metaKey) {
     // Don't use meta keys during drags.
-    if (workspace.isDragging()) {
+    if (Blockly.Gesture.inProgress()) {
       return;
     }
     if (Blockly.selected &&
diff --git a/core/gesture.js b/core/gesture.js
index a8e1177e0..736047017 100644
--- a/core/gesture.js
+++ b/core/gesture.js
@@ -954,3 +954,18 @@ Blockly.Gesture.prototype.getInsertionMarkers = function() {
   }
   return [];
 };
+
+/**
+ * Is a drag or other gesture currently in progress on any workspace?
+ * @return {boolean} True if gesture is occurring.
+ */
+Blockly.Gesture.inProgress = function() {
+  // If a drag is occurring, then it involves a selected block on a workspace.
+  if (Blockly.selected) {
+    var currentWorkspace = Blockly.selected.workspace;
+    if (currentWorkspace && currentWorkspace.currentGesture_) {
+      return true;
+    }
+  }
+  return false;
+};
diff --git a/core/workspace_svg.js b/core/workspace_svg.js
index 0a68fe98d..9f9e48829 100644
--- a/core/workspace_svg.js
+++ b/core/workspace_svg.js
@@ -1302,14 +1302,10 @@ Blockly.WorkspaceSvg.prototype.isMovable = function() {
  */
 Blockly.WorkspaceSvg.prototype.onMouseWheel_ = function(e) {
   // Don't scroll or zoom anything if drag is in progress.
-  // If a drag is occurring, then it involves a selected block on a workspace.
-  if (Blockly.selected) {
-    var currentWorkspace = Blockly.selected.workspace;
-    if (currentWorkspace && currentWorkspace.currentGesture_) {
-      e.preventDefault();
-      e.stopPropagation();
-      return;
-    }
+  if (Blockly.Gesture.inProgress()) {
+    e.preventDefault();
+    e.stopPropagation();
+    return;
   }
   var canWheelZoom = this.options.zoomOptions && this.options.zoomOptions.wheel;
   var canWheelMove = this.options.moveOptions && this.options.moveOptions.wheel;