diff --git a/packages/core/src/components/tabs/tabs.tsx b/packages/core/src/components/tabs/tabs.tsx
index 6e54c725a4..184ffc0795 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/components/tabs/tabs.tsx
+++ b/packages/core/src/components/tabs/tabs.tsx
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ export class Tabs extends AbstractPureComponent2<ITabsProps, ITabsState> {
     }
 
     public componentDidMount() {
-        this.moveSelectionIndicator();
+        this.moveSelectionIndicator(false);
     }
 
     public componentDidUpdate(prevProps: ITabsProps, prevState: ITabsState) {
@@ -266,7 +266,7 @@ export class Tabs extends AbstractPureComponent2<ITabsProps, ITabsState> {
      * Calculate the new height, width, and position of the tab indicator.
      * Store the CSS values so the transition animation can start.
      */
-    private moveSelectionIndicator() {
+    private moveSelectionIndicator(animate = true) {
         if (this.tablistElement == null || !this.props.animate) {
             return;
         }
@@ -282,6 +282,10 @@ export class Tabs extends AbstractPureComponent2<ITabsProps, ITabsState> {
                 transform: `translateX(${Math.floor(offsetLeft)}px) translateY(${Math.floor(offsetTop)}px)`,
                 width: clientWidth,
             };
+
+            if (!animate) {
+                indicatorWrapperStyle.transition = "none";
+            }
         }
         this.setState({ indicatorWrapperStyle });
     }