diff --git a/packages/components/tags/tag-input.spec.ts b/packages/components/tags/tag-input.spec.ts
index 61bfa5b61c..81f4800960 100644
--- a/packages/components/tags/tag-input.spec.ts
+++ b/packages/components/tags/tag-input.spec.ts
@@ -878,6 +878,18 @@ describe('KbqTagInput', () => {
             tagInputDirective.onKeydown(SPACE_EVENT);
             expect(preventDefaultSpy).toHaveBeenCalled();
         });
+
+        it('should not prevent default when TAB separator is pressed with empty input', () => {
+            const TAB_EVENT = createKeyboardEvent('keydown', TAB, inputNativeElement, 'Tab');
+            const preventDefaultSpy = jest.spyOn(TAB_EVENT, 'preventDefault');
+
+            tagInputDirective.separatorKeyCodes = [TAB];
+            (inputNativeElement as HTMLInputElement).value = '';
+            fixture.detectChanges();
+
+            tagInputDirective.onKeydown(TAB_EVENT);
+            expect(preventDefaultSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+        });
     });
 });
 
diff --git a/packages/components/tags/tag-input.ts b/packages/components/tags/tag-input.ts
index fa28fcd3aa..9e84d6207f 100644
--- a/packages/components/tags/tag-input.ts
+++ b/packages/components/tags/tag-input.ts
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ export class KbqTagInput implements KbqTagTextControl, OnChanges {
         const isSeparatorKey = this.isSeparatorKey(event);
 
         if (!this.inputElement.value) {
-            if (isSeparatorKey) {
+            if (isSeparatorKey && event.keyCode !== TAB) {
                 event.preventDefault();
             }