diff --git a/src/UIShell/GlobalHeader/HeaderNavItem.svelte b/src/UIShell/GlobalHeader/HeaderNavItem.svelte
index 3772547f..b7dd47c4 100644
--- a/src/UIShell/GlobalHeader/HeaderNavItem.svelte
+++ b/src/UIShell/GlobalHeader/HeaderNavItem.svelte
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@
     role="menuitem"
     tabindex="0"
     href="{href}"
+    rel="{$$restProps.target === '_blank' ? 'noopener noreferrer' : undefined}"
     class:bx--header__menu-item="{true}"
     {...$$restProps}
     on:click