diff --git a/gtk/gtkmenushell.c b/gtk/gtkmenushell.c
index 5747c4db69..104281b627 100644
--- a/gtk/gtkmenushell.c
+++ b/gtk/gtkmenushell.c
@@ -1675,7 +1675,7 @@ gtk_real_menu_shell_activate_current (GtkMenuShell *menu_shell,
                                     priv->active_menu_item,
                                     force_hide);
     else
-      _gtk_menu_item_popup_submenu (priv->active_menu_item, FALSE);
+      gtk_menu_shell_select_submenu_first (menu_shell);
   }
 }