diff --git a/tailbone/templates/login.mako b/tailbone/templates/login.mako
index e8f06848..f53de560 100644
--- a/tailbone/templates/login.mako
+++ b/tailbone/templates/login.mako
@@ -57,5 +57,15 @@
   </div>
 </%def>
 
+<%def name="modify_this_page_vars()">
+  <script type="text/javascript">
+
+    TailboneForm.mounted = function() {
+        this.$refs.username.focus()
+    }
+
+  </script>
+</%def>
+
 
 ${parent.body()}
diff --git a/tailbone/views/auth.py b/tailbone/views/auth.py
index b16ff539..1a1c406d 100644
--- a/tailbone/views/auth.py
+++ b/tailbone/views/auth.py
@@ -122,6 +122,10 @@ class AuthenticationView(View):
             'tailbone', 'main_image_url',
             default=self.request.static_url('tailbone:static/img/home_logo.png'))
 
+        # nb. hacky..but necessary, to add the ref, for autofocus
+        dform = form.make_deform_form()
+        dform['username'].widget.attributes = {'ref': 'username'}
+
         return {
             'form': form,
             'referrer': referrer,