diff --git a/src/material/tabs/tab-nav-bar/tab-nav-bar.ts b/src/material/tabs/tab-nav-bar/tab-nav-bar.ts
index 9ffc5769e2d2..2bf7c694a261 100644
--- a/src/material/tabs/tab-nav-bar/tab-nav-bar.ts
+++ b/src/material/tabs/tab-nav-bar/tab-nav-bar.ts
@@ -372,6 +372,12 @@ export class MatTabLink
       if (this.disabled) {
         event.preventDefault();
       } else if (this._tabNavBar.tabPanel) {
+        // Only prevent the default action on space since it can scroll the page.
+        // Don't prevent enter since it can break link navigation.
+        if (event.keyCode === SPACE) {
+          event.preventDefault();
+        }
+
         this.elementRef.nativeElement.click();
       }
     }