diff --git a/src/_macosx.m b/src/_macosx.m
index 7042f6da35cc..38c99cd9760e 100755
--- a/src/_macosx.m
+++ b/src/_macosx.m
@@ -45,6 +45,8 @@
 static bool keyChangeShift = false;
 static bool keyChangeOption = false;
 static bool keyChangeCapsLock = false;
+/* Keep track of the current mouse up/down state for open/closed cursor hand */
+static bool leftMouseGrabbing = false;
 
 /* -------------------------- Helper function ---------------------------- */
 
@@ -457,7 +459,13 @@ int mpl_check_modifier(
       case 1: [[NSCursor arrowCursor] set]; break;
       case 2: [[NSCursor pointingHandCursor] set]; break;
       case 3: [[NSCursor crosshairCursor] set]; break;
-      case 4: [[NSCursor openHandCursor] set]; break;
+      case 4:
+        if (leftMouseGrabbing) {
+            [[NSCursor closedHandCursor] set];
+        } else {
+            [[NSCursor openHandCursor] set];
+        }
+        break;
       /* OSX handles busy state itself so no need to set a cursor here */
       case 5: break;
       case 6: [[NSCursor resizeLeftRightCursor] set]; break;
@@ -1503,8 +1511,10 @@ - (void)mouseDown:(NSEvent *)event
              else
              {
                  button = 1;
-                 if ([NSCursor currentCursor]==[NSCursor openHandCursor])
+                 if ([NSCursor currentCursor]==[NSCursor openHandCursor]) {
+                     leftMouseGrabbing = true;
                      [[NSCursor closedHandCursor] set];
+                 }
              }
              break;
          }
@@ -1531,6 +1541,7 @@ - (void)mouseUp:(NSEvent *)event
     y = location.y * device_scale;
     switch ([event type])
     {    case NSEventTypeLeftMouseUp:
+             leftMouseGrabbing = false;
              button = 1;
              if ([NSCursor currentCursor]==[NSCursor closedHandCursor])
                  [[NSCursor openHandCursor] set];