diff --git a/.changeset/rare-papers-decide.md b/.changeset/rare-papers-decide.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..60d8bca3b4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/rare-papers-decide.md
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+'@backstage/ui': patch
+---
+
+Fixed an infinite render loop in Tabs when navigating to a URL that doesn't match any tab href.
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/components/Tabs/Tabs.tsx b/packages/ui/src/components/Tabs/Tabs.tsx
index 09970db5ca..11d77a6a5f 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/components/Tabs/Tabs.tsx
+++ b/packages/ui/src/components/Tabs/Tabs.tsx
@@ -135,9 +135,10 @@ export const Tabs = (props: TabsProps) => {
       return undefined;
     }
 
-    // Has routed tabs but none are active - controlled mode with no selection
+    // Has routed tabs but none are active - use empty string for no selection
+    // (React Aria has a bug with null that causes infinite loops)
     if (activeTabs.size === 0) {
-      return null;
+      return '';
     }
 
     let selectedId: string | null = null;