Am I using the gradient tool wrong?

[spaceprobe]

I can see the slider on the shape I want to fill, I want to squash the gradient circle into an elipse, but as soon as I move the pointer the circle disppears.

I can't manipulate the gradient in any way because the necessary handles and circle thinggy disappear. How do I keep that circle there, so I can pull on the handle at the top?

See my video.

[Doug A Roberts]

I tried to replicate the scenario but didn't have the same difficulty getting the gradient annotator to stay active.

Does it happen on every object? In a new file?

Is there any chance you could share the file?

[Monika Gause]

I think I've experienced that recently as well, but cannot reproduce it at the moment.

Which system are you on?