diff --git a/src/gatsby-theme-carbon/components/LeftNav/LeftNav.js b/src/gatsby-theme-carbon/components/LeftNav/LeftNav.js
index eba3c0ca2..670c30222 100644
--- a/src/gatsby-theme-carbon/components/LeftNav/LeftNav.js
+++ b/src/gatsby-theme-carbon/components/LeftNav/LeftNav.js
@@ -108,6 +108,7 @@ function LeftNav({ location, homepage, is404, theme }) {
         aria-label="Side navigation"
         expanded={leftNavIsOpen}
         defaultExpanded={leftNavIsOpen}
+        inert
         isPersistent={!navigationStyle}
         className={cx(getLeftNavClassNames(), sideNavShadow)}
       >