diff --git a/__tests__/e2e/multi-sidebar/index.test.ts b/__tests__/e2e/multi-sidebar/index.test.ts
index b6482bdbb..7c198d44d 100644
--- a/__tests__/e2e/multi-sidebar/index.test.ts
+++ b/__tests__/e2e/multi-sidebar/index.test.ts
@@ -18,6 +18,31 @@ describe('test multi sidebar sort root', () => {
       'Markdown Extensions'
     ])
   })
+
+  test('collapsible sidebar headings do not contain nested buttons', async () => {
+    const sidebarItem = page.locator('.VPSidebarItem.level-0').first()
+    const item = sidebarItem.locator('> .item')
+    const caret = item.locator('> .caret')
+
+    expect(await item.getAttribute('role')).toBe('button')
+    expect(await item.getAttribute('tabindex')).toBe('0')
+    expect(await item.getAttribute('aria-expanded')).toBe('true')
+    expect(await caret.getAttribute('role')).toBeNull()
+    expect(await caret.getAttribute('tabindex')).toBeNull()
+    expect(await caret.getAttribute('aria-hidden')).toBe('true')
+
+    await caret.click()
+    expect(await sidebarItem.getAttribute('class')).toContain('collapsed')
+    expect(await item.getAttribute('aria-expanded')).toBe('false')
+
+    await item.press('Enter')
+    expect(await sidebarItem.getAttribute('class')).not.toContain('collapsed')
+    expect(await item.getAttribute('aria-expanded')).toBe('true')
+
+    await item.press(' ')
+    expect(await sidebarItem.getAttribute('class')).toContain('collapsed')
+    expect(await item.getAttribute('aria-expanded')).toBe('false')
+  })
 })
 
 describe('test multi sidebar sort order', () => {
diff --git a/src/client/theme-default/components/VPSidebarItem.vue b/src/client/theme-default/components/VPSidebarItem.vue
index d71d10621..e09808ca4 100644
--- a/src/client/theme-default/components/VPSidebarItem.vue
+++ b/src/client/theme-default/components/VPSidebarItem.vue
@@ -31,7 +31,13 @@ const textTag = computed(() => {
       : `h${props.depth + 2}`
 })
 
-const itemRole = computed(() => (isLink.value ? undefined : 'button'))
+const isItemButton = computed(() => {
+  return !isLink.value && collapsible.value && hasChildren.value
+})
+
+const itemRole = computed(() => (isItemButton.value ? 'button' : undefined))
+
+const itemTabIndex = computed(() => (isItemButton.value ? 0 : undefined))
 
 const classes = computed(() => [
   [`level-${props.depth}`],
@@ -42,15 +48,34 @@ const classes = computed(() => [
   { 'has-active': hasActiveLink.value }
 ])
 
-function onItemInteraction(e: MouseEvent | Event) {
-  if ('key' in e && e.key !== 'Enter') {
-    return
+function onItemInteraction(e: MouseEvent | KeyboardEvent) {
+  if ('key' in e) {
+    if (e.key !== 'Enter' && e.key !== ' ') {
+      return
+    }
+
+    e.preventDefault()
   }
-  !props.item.link && toggle()
+
+  toggle()
 }
 
-function onCaretClick() {
-  props.item.link && toggle()
+function onCaretClick(e: MouseEvent | Event) {
+  if (props.item.link) {
+    e.stopPropagation()
+    toggle()
+  }
+}
+
+function onCaretKeyDown(e: KeyboardEvent) {
+  if (!props.item.link) {
+    return
+  }
+
+  if (e.key === 'Enter' || e.key === ' ') {
+    e.preventDefault()
+    onCaretClick(e)
+  }
 }
 </script>
 
@@ -60,12 +85,13 @@ function onCaretClick() {
       v-if="item.text"
       class="item"
       :role="itemRole"
+      :aria-expanded="isItemButton ? !collapsed : undefined"
       v-on="
-        item.items
+        isItemButton
           ? { click: onItemInteraction, keydown: onItemInteraction }
           : {}
       "
-      :tabindex="item.items && 0"
+      :tabindex="itemTabIndex"
     >
       <div class="indicator" />
 
@@ -84,11 +110,13 @@ function onCaretClick() {
       <div
         v-if="item.collapsed != null && item.items && item.items.length"
         class="caret"
-        role="button"
-        aria-label="toggle section"
+        :role="item.link ? 'button' : undefined"
+        :aria-label="item.link ? 'toggle section' : undefined"
+        :aria-expanded="item.link ? !collapsed : undefined"
+        :aria-hidden="item.link ? undefined : true"
         @click="onCaretClick"
-        @keydown.enter="onCaretClick"
-        tabindex="0"
+        @keydown="onCaretKeyDown"
+        :tabindex="item.link ? 0 : undefined"
       >
         <span class="vpi-chevron-right caret-icon" />
       </div>