diff --git a/src/wp-admin/js/customize-nav-menus.js b/src/wp-admin/js/customize-nav-menus.js
index e9ee86f961..4d6d758224 100644
--- a/src/wp-admin/js/customize-nav-menus.js
+++ b/src/wp-admin/js/customize-nav-menus.js
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 	 */
 	wpNavMenu.originalInit = wpNavMenu.init;
 	wpNavMenu.options.menuItemDepthPerLevel = 20;
-	wpNavMenu.options.sortableItems         = '.customize-control-nav_menu_item';
+	wpNavMenu.options.sortableItems         = '> .customize-control-nav_menu_item';
 	wpNavMenu.init = function() {
 		this.jQueryExtensions();
 	};