diff --git a/packages/mdc-select/README.md b/packages/mdc-select/README.md
index aec51fdc564..a11cc1a4986 100644
--- a/packages/mdc-select/README.md
+++ b/packages/mdc-select/README.md
@@ -97,10 +97,15 @@ style dependencies for both the mdc-list and mdc-menu for this component to func
 
 #### Select with pre-selected option
 
+When dealing with the select component that has pre-selected values, you'll want to ensure that you
+render `mdc-select__label` with the `mdc-select__label--float-above` modifier class and the selected
+option with `aria-selected`. This will ensure that the label moves out of the way of the select's value
+and prevents a Flash Of Un-styled Content (**FOUC**).
+
 ```html
 <div class="mdc-select" role="listbox">
   <div class="mdc-select__surface" tabindex="0">
-    <div class="mdc-select__label">Pick a Food Group</div>
+    <div class="mdc-select__label mdc-select__label--float-above">Pick a Food Group</div>
     <div class="mdc-select__selected-text"></div>
     <div class="mdc-select__bottom-line"></div>
   </div>
diff --git a/packages/mdc-select/foundation.js b/packages/mdc-select/foundation.js
index a921b3d4e71..dbcf0151eb3 100644
--- a/packages/mdc-select/foundation.js
+++ b/packages/mdc-select/foundation.js
@@ -106,10 +106,6 @@ export default class MDCSelectFoundation extends MDCFoundation {
     };
     this.cancelHandler_ = () => {
       this.close_();
-
-      if (this.selectedIndex_ === -1) {
-        this.adapter_.removeClassFromLabel(cssClasses.LABEL_FLOAT_ABOVE);
-      }
     };
   }
 
@@ -157,6 +153,9 @@ export default class MDCSelectFoundation extends MDCFoundation {
     if (this.selectedIndex_ >= 0) {
       selectedTextContent = this.adapter_.getTextForOptionAtIndex(this.selectedIndex_).trim();
       this.adapter_.setAttrForOptionAtIndex(this.selectedIndex_, 'aria-selected', 'true');
+      this.adapter_.addClassToLabel(cssClasses.LABEL_FLOAT_ABOVE);
+    } else {
+      this.adapter_.removeClassFromLabel(cssClasses.LABEL_FLOAT_ABOVE);
     }
     this.adapter_.setSelectedTextContent(selectedTextContent);
   }
@@ -214,7 +213,6 @@ export default class MDCSelectFoundation extends MDCFoundation {
     const focusIndex = this.selectedIndex_ < 0 ? 0 : this.selectedIndex_;
 
     this.setMenuStylesForOpenAtIndex_(focusIndex);
-    this.adapter_.addClassToLabel(cssClasses.LABEL_FLOAT_ABOVE);
     this.adapter_.addClassToBottomLine(cssClasses.BOTTOM_LINE_ACTIVE);
     this.adapter_.addClass(OPEN);
     this.animationRequestId_ = requestAnimationFrame(() => {