diff --git a/src/material/select/select.html b/src/material/select/select.html
index 66bb034db759..987d5d238e4c 100644
--- a/src/material/select/select.html
+++ b/src/material/select/select.html
@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@
     role="listbox"
     cdkListbox
     cdkListboxUseActiveDescendant
+    useActiveDescendant="true"
     tabindex="-1"
     class="mat-mdc-select-panel mdc-menu-surface mdc-menu-surface--open {{ _getPanelTheme() }}"
     [attr.id]="id + '-panel'"