diff --git a/elements/pfe-tabs/src/pfe-tabs.js b/elements/pfe-tabs/src/pfe-tabs.js
index 948401a471..21f5d8a75b 100644
--- a/elements/pfe-tabs/src/pfe-tabs.js
+++ b/elements/pfe-tabs/src/pfe-tabs.js
@@ -270,7 +270,7 @@ class PfeTabs extends PFElement {
       this.selectedIndex = tabIndexFromURL;
     }
 
-    if (!this.selectedIndex) this.selectedIndex = 0;
+    if (this.selectedIndex === null) this.selectedIndex = 0;
 
     if (window.ShadyCSS) this._observer.observe(this, TABS_MUTATION_CONFIG);
   }