diff --git a/packages/core/src/components/nav/transitions/transition.md.ts b/packages/core/src/components/nav/transitions/transition.md.ts
index ac6bc55881..b5e019a9ad 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/components/nav/transitions/transition.md.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/components/nav/transitions/transition.md.ts
@@ -70,11 +70,14 @@ function getIonPageElement(element: HTMLElement) {
   if (ionPage) {
     return ionPage;
   }
-
   const ionNav = element.querySelector('ion-nav');
   if (ionNav) {
     return ionNav;
   }
+  const ionTabs = element.querySelector('ion-tabs');
+  if (ionTabs) {
+    return ionTabs;
+  }
 
   // idk, return the original element so at least something animates and we don't have a null pointer
   return element;