diff --git a/src/material/chips/chip-grid.ts b/src/material/chips/chip-grid.ts
index d3d84d469bbc..8083c3c6b899 100644
--- a/src/material/chips/chip-grid.ts
+++ b/src/material/chips/chip-grid.ts
@@ -336,8 +336,14 @@ export class MatChipGrid
       // Delay until the next tick, because this can cause a "changed after checked"
       // error if the input does something on focus (e.g. opens an autocomplete).
       Promise.resolve().then(() => this._chipInput.focus());
-    } else if (this._chips.length && this._keyManager.activeItemIndex !== 0) {
-      this._keyManager.setFirstItemActive();
+    } else {
+      const activeItem = this._keyManager.activeItem;
+
+      if (activeItem) {
+        activeItem.focus();
+      } else {
+        this._keyManager.setFirstItemActive();
+      }
     }
 
     this.stateChanges.next();