diff --git a/ui/jquery.ui.selectmenu.js b/ui/jquery.ui.selectmenu.js
index 3254c315e..54a32592b 100644
--- a/ui/jquery.ui.selectmenu.js
+++ b/ui/jquery.ui.selectmenu.js
@@ -85,9 +85,9 @@ $.widget( "ui.selectmenu", {
 		})
 		.insertAfter( this.element );
 
-		this.button.prepend( $( "<span>", {
+		$( "<span>", {
 			"class": "ui-icon " + this.options.icons.button
-		}));
+		}).prependTo( this.button );
 
 		this.buttonText = $( "<span>", {
 			"class": "ui-selectmenu-text"