diff --git a/packages/machines/tabs/src/tabs.machine.ts b/packages/machines/tabs/src/tabs.machine.ts
index 43702eafe1..aacc8cb74b 100644
--- a/packages/machines/tabs/src/tabs.machine.ts
+++ b/packages/machines/tabs/src/tabs.machine.ts
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ export const machine = createMachine({
         defaultValue: prop("defaultValue"),
         value: prop("value"),
         onChange(value) {
-          prop("onValueChange")?.({ value: value! })
+          prop("onValueChange")?.({ value })
         },
       })),
       focusedValue: bindable(() => ({
diff --git a/packages/machines/tabs/src/tabs.types.ts b/packages/machines/tabs/src/tabs.types.ts
index 004a5f2931..c785d3dd53 100644
--- a/packages/machines/tabs/src/tabs.types.ts
+++ b/packages/machines/tabs/src/tabs.types.ts
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import type { CommonProperties, DirectionProperty, PropTypes, Rect, RequiredBy }
  * -----------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
 
 export interface ValueChangeDetails {
-  value: string
+  value: string | null // null when deselected
 }
 
 export interface FocusChangeDetails {