diff --git a/src/material/list/list.scss b/src/material/list/list.scss
index 05a5e83733f8..7321cd89ad35 100644
--- a/src/material/list/list.scss
+++ b/src/material/list/list.scss
@@ -319,6 +319,7 @@ mat-action-list {
   mat-action-list .mat-list-item {
     &:hover, &:focus {
       outline: dotted 1px;
+      z-index: 1;
     }
   }