diff --git a/src/declarativeimports/core/iconitem.cpp b/src/declarativeimports/core/iconitem.cpp
index 679f0fabf..4d2b435b6 100644
--- a/src/declarativeimports/core/iconitem.cpp
+++ b/src/declarativeimports/core/iconitem.cpp
@@ -252,7 +252,6 @@ IconItem::IconItem(QQuickItem *parent)
       m_iconItemSource(new NullSource(this)),
       m_status(Plasma::Svg::Normal),
       m_active(false),
-      m_selected(false),
       m_animated(true),
       m_usesPlasmaTheme(true),
       m_roundToIconSize(true),
@@ -449,26 +448,6 @@ void IconItem::setActive(bool active)
     emit activeChanged();
 }
 
-bool IconItem::isSelected() const
-{
-    return m_selected;
-}
-
-void IconItem::setSelected(bool selected)
-{
-    if (m_selected == selected) {
-        return;
-    }
-
-    m_selected = selected;
-
-    if (isComponentComplete()) {
-        m_allowNextAnimation = true;
-        schedulePixmapUpdate();
-    }
-    emit selectedChanged();
-}
-
 bool IconItem::isAnimated() const
 {
     return m_animated;
@@ -747,8 +726,6 @@ void IconItem::loadPixmap()
         result = KIconLoader::global()->iconEffect()->apply(result, KIconLoader::Desktop, KIconLoader::DisabledState);
     } else if (m_active) {
         result = KIconLoader::global()->iconEffect()->apply(result, KIconLoader::Desktop, KIconLoader::ActiveState);
-    } else if (m_selected) {
-        result = KIconLoader::global()->iconEffect()->apply(result, KIconLoader::Desktop, KIconLoader::SelectedState);
     }
 
     const QSize oldPaintedSize = paintedSize();
diff --git a/src/declarativeimports/core/iconitem.h b/src/declarativeimports/core/iconitem.h
index 79e9c4cb8..500274a97 100644
--- a/src/declarativeimports/core/iconitem.h
+++ b/src/declarativeimports/core/iconitem.h
@@ -61,12 +61,6 @@ class IconItem : public QQuickItem
      */
     Q_PROPERTY(bool active READ isActive WRITE setActive NOTIFY activeChanged)
 
-    /**
-     * Apply a visual indication that this icon is selected.
-     * @since 5.77
-     */
-    Q_PROPERTY(bool selected READ isSelected WRITE setSelected NOTIFY selectedChanged)
-
     /**
      * Sets the image in a selected status.
      * Svgs can be colored with system color themes, if the status is selected,
@@ -130,9 +124,6 @@ public:
     bool isActive() const;
     void setActive(bool active);
 
-    bool isSelected() const;
-    void setSelected(bool selected);
-
     bool isAnimated() const;
     void setAnimated(bool animated);
 
@@ -165,7 +156,6 @@ public:
 Q_SIGNALS:
     void overlaysChanged();
     void activeChanged();
-    void selectedChanged();
     void sourceChanged();
     void animatedChanged();
     void usesPlasmaThemeChanged();
@@ -197,7 +187,6 @@ private:
     Plasma::Svg::Status m_status;
 
     bool m_active;
-    bool m_selected;
     bool m_animated;
     bool m_usesPlasmaTheme;
     bool m_roundToIconSize;
diff --git a/src/declarativeimports/plasmacomponents3/TabButton.qml b/src/declarativeimports/plasmacomponents3/TabButton.qml
index d8dd89fbc..fd9367b65 100644
--- a/src/declarativeimports/plasmacomponents3/TabButton.qml
+++ b/src/declarativeimports/plasmacomponents3/TabButton.qml
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ T.TabButton {
             colorGroup: control.PlasmaCore.ColorScope.colorGroup
             visible: source.length > 0 && control.display !== T.AbstractButton.TextOnly
             source: control.icon ? (control.icon.name || control.icon.source) : ""
-            selected: control.visualFocus
+            active: control.visualFocus
         }
         Label {
             id: label