diff --git a/ui/widgets/selectmenu.js b/ui/widgets/selectmenu.js
index cefeddcacf4..cf48261d092 100644
--- a/ui/widgets/selectmenu.js
+++ b/ui/widgets/selectmenu.js
@@ -417,7 +417,7 @@ return $.widget( "ui.selectmenu", [ $.ui.formResetMixin, {
 		// Support: IE
 		// Setting the text selection kills the button focus in IE, but
 		// restoring the focus doesn't kill the selection.
-		this.button.focus();
+		this.button.trigger( "focus" );
 	},
 
 	_documentClick: {