diff --git a/src/lib/tabs/tab-group.scss b/src/lib/tabs/tab-group.scss
index c5a148d777fd..320653648e91 100644
--- a/src/lib/tabs/tab-group.scss
+++ b/src/lib/tabs/tab-group.scss
@@ -29,7 +29,8 @@
   }
 }
 
-.mat-tab-group[mat-stretch-tabs] .mat-tab-label {
+// Note that we only want to target direct descendant tabs.
+.mat-tab-group[mat-stretch-tabs] > .mat-tab-header .mat-tab-label {
   flex-basis: 0;
   flex-grow: 1;
 }