diff --git a/src/material-experimental/mdc-chips/chip-option.html b/src/material-experimental/mdc-chips/chip-option.html
index f9d467066596..c407f8168e9e 100644
--- a/src/material-experimental/mdc-chips/chip-option.html
+++ b/src/material-experimental/mdc-chips/chip-option.html
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 
 <ng-content select="mat-chip-avatar, [matChipAvatar]"></ng-content>
 <div class="mdc-chip__checkmark" *ngIf="_chipListMultiple">
-  <svg class="mdc-chip__checkmark-svg" viewBox="-2 -3 30 30">
+  <svg class="mdc-chip__checkmark-svg" viewBox="-2 -3 30 30" focusable="false">
     <path class="mdc-chip__checkmark-path" fill="none" stroke="black"
           d="M1.73,12.91 8.1,19.28 22.79,4.59"/>
   </svg>
diff --git a/src/material-experimental/mdc-chips/chip-option.spec.ts b/src/material-experimental/mdc-chips/chip-option.spec.ts
index 436044605859..88bcbf7b8631 100644
--- a/src/material-experimental/mdc-chips/chip-option.spec.ts
+++ b/src/material-experimental/mdc-chips/chip-option.spec.ts
@@ -231,6 +231,16 @@ describe('MDC-based Option Chips', () => {
           expect(chipNativeElement.getAttribute('aria-selected')).toBe('true');
         }));
 
+        it('should disable focus on the checkmark', fakeAsync(() => {
+          // The checkmark is only shown in multi selection mode.
+          testComponent.chipList.multiple = true;
+          flush();
+          fixture.detectChanges();
+
+          const checkmark = chipNativeElement.querySelector('.mdc-chip__checkmark-svg')!;
+          expect(checkmark.getAttribute('focusable')).toBe('false');
+        }));
+
       });
 
       describe('when selectable is false', () => {