diff --git a/ui/jquery.ui.selectmenu.js b/ui/jquery.ui.selectmenu.js
index d63e4732c9..bdd846f4b5 100644
--- a/ui/jquery.ui.selectmenu.js
+++ b/ui/jquery.ui.selectmenu.js
@@ -260,7 +260,7 @@ $.widget( "ui.selectmenu", {
 			li.addClass( "ui-state-disabled" );
 		}
 		li.append( $( "<a />", {
-				text: item.label,
+				html: item.label,
 				href: "#"
 			})
 		);