diff --git a/assets/js/base/components/tabs/index.js b/assets/js/base/components/tabs/index.js
index 330e872aff9..49c6f1b008e 100644
--- a/assets/js/base/components/tabs/index.js
+++ b/assets/js/base/components/tabs/index.js
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ const Tabs = ( {
 	useEffect( () => {
 		if ( ! selected ) {
 			setSelected(
-				initialTabName || ( tabs.length > 0 ? tabs[ 0 ].name : null )
+				initialTabName || ( tabs.length > 0 ? tabs[ 0 ].name : '' )
 			);
 		}
 	}, [ initialTabName, tabs ] );