diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 0d2f3b2ac..85341f69e 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ General Public License v2 (GPLv2). See LICENSES directory or go to
 
 ## Fixed
 - Prevent Back In Time crash when a plugin fails ([#2447](https://github.com/bit-team/backintime/issues/2447))
+- Prevent user from exiting the restore window while running causing backintime to freeze. (Dominic Maluski, @maluskid, [#2503](https://github.com/bit-team/backintime/issues/2503))
 
 ## [1.6.1] (2026-02-10)
 
diff --git a/qt/restoredialog.py b/qt/restoredialog.py
index 908eda2f7..e4dc65702 100644
--- a/qt/restoredialog.py
+++ b/qt/restoredialog.py
@@ -106,6 +106,24 @@ def exec(self):
     def _slot_thread_finished(self):
         self._btn_close.setEnabled(True)
 
+    def closeEvent(self, event):  # noqa: N802
+        """
+        intercept close event to prevent canceling restoration early
+        this provides protection against upper corner x as well as
+        alt-f4 key presses
+        """
+        # Check if close button is enabled to avoid using new variable
+        # Could add a boolean to __init__ for easier readability
+        if not self._btn_close.isEnabled():
+            messagebox.critical(
+                self,
+                _("A critical process is currently running. Window "
+                  "cannot be closed until restoration is finished.")
+            )
+            event.ignore()
+        else:
+            event.accept()
+
 
 class RestoreThread(QThread):
     """