diff --git a/packages/calcite-components/src/components/stepper-item/stepper-item.scss b/packages/calcite-components/src/components/stepper-item/stepper-item.scss
index e79b1e20f41..ee83e4a6b92 100644
--- a/packages/calcite-components/src/components/stepper-item/stepper-item.scss
+++ b/packages/calcite-components/src/components/stepper-item/stepper-item.scss
@@ -56,6 +56,10 @@
     border-solid
     no-underline
     outline-none;
+
+  &:active {
+    @apply bg-foreground-3;
+  }
 }
 
 // focus styles