diff --git a/src/components/quicklaunch.jsx b/src/components/quicklaunch.jsx
index 7375259ce..f6e12c430 100644
--- a/src/components/quicklaunch.jsx
+++ b/src/components/quicklaunch.jsx
@@ -124,8 +124,8 @@ export default function QuickLaunch({ servicesAndBookmarks, searchString, setSea
     ? MOBILE_BUTTON_POSITIONS[settings.quicklaunch.mobileButtonPosition]
     : null;
 
-  function openCurrentItem(newWindow) {
-    const result = results[activeItemIndex];
+  function openCurrentItem(newWindow, index = activeItemIndex) {
+    const result = results[index];
     window.open(
       result.href,
       newWindow ? "_blank" : (result.target ?? searchProvider?.target ?? settings.target ?? "_blank"),
@@ -180,7 +180,8 @@ export default function QuickLaunch({ servicesAndBookmarks, searchString, setSea
 
   function handleItemClick(event) {
     closeAndReset();
-    openCurrentItem(event.metaKey);
+    // in case hover doesnt fire, use the clicked item, not the highlighted one
+    openCurrentItem(event.metaKey, parseInt(event.currentTarget.dataset.index, 10));
   }
 
   function handleItemKeyDown(event) {
diff --git a/src/components/quicklaunch.test.jsx b/src/components/quicklaunch.test.jsx
index 031471916..02bba7ac1 100644
--- a/src/components/quicklaunch.test.jsx
+++ b/src/components/quicklaunch.test.jsx
@@ -263,6 +263,37 @@ describe("components/quicklaunch", () => {
     openSpy.mockRestore();
   });
 
+  it("opens the clicked result even without a preceding hover event", async () => {
+    const openSpy = vi.spyOn(window, "open").mockImplementation(() => null);
+
+    renderWithProviders(
+      <Wrapper
+        servicesAndBookmarks={[
+          { name: "Alpha", href: "https://alpha.example" },
+          { name: "Alpine", href: "https://alpine.example" },
+          { name: "Almond", href: "https://almond.example" },
+        ]}
+      />,
+      { settings: { target: "_self", quicklaunch: { showSearchSuggestions: false } } },
+    );
+
+    const input = screen.getByPlaceholderText("Search");
+    await waitFor(() => expect(input).toHaveFocus());
+
+    fireEvent.change(input, { target: { value: "al" } });
+    await waitFor(() => expect(document.querySelector('button[data-index="2"]')).toBeTruthy());
+
+    // touch devices don't fire mouseEnter, so the highlighted item is still the first one
+    fireEvent.click(document.querySelector('button[data-index="2"]'));
+
+    await act(async () => {
+      await new Promise((r) => setTimeout(r, 350));
+    });
+
+    expect(openSpy).toHaveBeenCalledWith("https://almond.example", "_self", "noreferrer");
+    openSpy.mockRestore();
+  });
+
   it("handles Escape on a result button (not just the input)", async () => {
     renderWithProviders(<Wrapper servicesAndBookmarks={[{ name: "Alpha", href: "https://alpha.example" }]} />, {
       settings: { quicklaunch: { showSearchSuggestions: false } },