diff --git a/eb_dashboard.py b/eb_dashboard.py
index 023fdc9..37f0654 100644
--- a/eb_dashboard.py
+++ b/eb_dashboard.py
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
 # identification, and support for complex data extraction using JSON path expressions.
 import json
 import logging
-
+import msvcrt
 import os
 import re
 import sys
@@ -395,6 +395,9 @@ def wait_for_scheduled_launch():
             print(f"\r  Starting in {h:02d}:{m:02d}:{s:02d}... (at {target_str}) — Ctrl+C to cancel  ",
                   end="", flush=True)
             sleep(1)
+            # Flush keyboard buffer to prevent stray keystrokes from polluting subsequent prompts
+            while msvcrt.kbhit():
+                msvcrt.getwch()
         print()
         console.print("[green]✓ Starting processing.[/green]")
     except KeyboardInterrupt: