diff --git a/src/material/stepper/step-header.scss b/src/material/stepper/step-header.scss
index fde2dce109ac..a8387279b2e1 100644
--- a/src/material/stepper/step-header.scss
+++ b/src/material/stepper/step-header.scss
@@ -37,13 +37,16 @@
   position: relative;
 }
 
-.mat-step-icon-content,
-.mat-step-icon .mat-icon {
+.mat-step-icon-content {
   // Use absolute positioning to center the content, because it works better with text.
   position: absolute;
   top: 50%;
   left: 50%;
   transform: translate(-50%, -50%);
+
+  // We aren't using any flex features here, but using the `display: flex` prevents
+  // the browser from adding extra whitespace at the bottom of the element.
+  display: flex;
 }
 
 .mat-step-icon .mat-icon {