diff --git a/tests/unit/autocomplete/autocomplete_core.js b/tests/unit/autocomplete/autocomplete_core.js
index 845a3b19d..8a01bee8d 100644
--- a/tests/unit/autocomplete/autocomplete_core.js
+++ b/tests/unit/autocomplete/autocomplete_core.js
@@ -188,4 +188,14 @@ test( "ARIA", function() {
 		"Live region for multiple values" );
 });
 
+test( ".replaceWith() (#9172)", function() {
+	expect( 1 );
+
+	var element = $( "#autocomplete" ).autocomplete(),
+		replacement = "<div>test</div>",
+		parent = element.parent();
+	element.replaceWith( replacement );
+	equal( parent.html(), replacement );
+});
+
 }( jQuery ) );
diff --git a/ui/jquery.ui.autocomplete.js b/ui/jquery.ui.autocomplete.js
index 830972603..d98eb8c00 100644
--- a/ui/jquery.ui.autocomplete.js
+++ b/ui/jquery.ui.autocomplete.js
@@ -296,7 +296,7 @@ $.widget( "ui.autocomplete", {
 				"aria-live": "polite"
 			})
 			.addClass( "ui-helper-hidden-accessible" )
-			.insertAfter( this.element );
+			.insertBefore( this.element );
 
 		// turning off autocomplete prevents the browser from remembering the
 		// value when navigating through history, so we re-enable autocomplete