diff --git a/packages/machines/combobox/src/combobox.machine.ts b/packages/machines/combobox/src/combobox.machine.ts
index 841d96100c..333ba37c9a 100644
--- a/packages/machines/combobox/src/combobox.machine.ts
+++ b/packages/machines/combobox/src/combobox.machine.ts
@@ -792,7 +792,7 @@ export function machine<T extends CollectionItem>(userContext: UserDefinedContex
         highlightFirstItem(ctx) {
           raf(() => {
             const value = ctx.collection.firstValue
-            set.highlightedValue(ctx, value)
+            set.highlightedValue(ctx, value, true)
           })
         },
         highlightFirstItemIfNeeded(ctx) {