diff --git a/etc/NEWS b/etc/NEWS
index e03e635b11f..ccad04ae371 100644
--- a/etc/NEWS
+++ b/etc/NEWS
@@ -603,6 +603,10 @@ This hook allows you to operate on a reopened tab.
 This is useful when you define custom tab parameters that may need
 adjustment when a tab is restored, and avoids advice.
 
+---
+*** Tabs are closed now on releasing the middle mouse button.
+Previously, closing the tab-bar's tabs was on pressing the button.
+
 ---
 *** New user option 'tab-bar-define-keys'.
 This controls which key bindings tab-bar creates.  Values are t, the
diff --git a/lisp/tab-bar.el b/lisp/tab-bar.el
index 5dd61cdee29..15ef7967344 100644
--- a/lisp/tab-bar.el
+++ b/lisp/tab-bar.el
@@ -565,8 +565,7 @@ appropriate."
   "<down-mouse-1>"  #'tab-bar-mouse-down-1
   "<drag-mouse-1>"  #'tab-bar-mouse-move-tab
   "<mouse-1>"       #'tab-bar-mouse-1
-  "<down-mouse-2>"  #'tab-bar-mouse-close-tab
-  "<mouse-2>"       #'ignore
+  "<mouse-2>"       #'tab-bar-mouse-close-tab
   "<down-mouse-3>"  #'tab-bar-mouse-context-menu
 
   "<mouse-4>"       #'tab-previous