diff --git a/frontend/app.js b/frontend/app.js
index 1a6c923..15beafe 100644
--- a/frontend/app.js
+++ b/frontend/app.js
@@ -1761,9 +1761,7 @@ function bindSvgInteractions() {
         return;
       }
 
-      if (!state.selectedRefs.includes(ref)) {
-        selectSingleRef(ref);
-      }
+      selectSingleRef(ref);
       state.selectedNet = null;
       state.selectedPin = null;
       state.isolateNet = false;
@@ -1778,6 +1776,14 @@ function bindSvgInteractions() {
       }
 
       const pt = canvasToSvgPoint(evt.clientX, evt.clientY);
+      const clickedInst = instanceByRef(ref);
+      if (clickedInst?.placement?.locked) {
+        pushHistory("auto-unlock-drag");
+        clickedInst.placement.locked = false;
+        el.jsonFeedback.textContent = `${ref} was locked and has been auto-unlocked for manual move.`;
+        renderSelected();
+      }
+
       const dragRefsRaw = state.selectedRefs.length ? [...state.selectedRefs] : [ref];
       const dragRefs = dragRefsRaw.filter((r) => !instanceByRef(r)?.placement?.locked);
       if (!dragRefs.length) {