diff --git a/src/core_plugins/kibana/public/dev_tools/directives/dev_tools_app.js b/src/core_plugins/kibana/public/dev_tools/directives/dev_tools_app.js
index c62d0f6970c88..030915298e318 100644
--- a/src/core_plugins/kibana/public/dev_tools/directives/dev_tools_app.js
+++ b/src/core_plugins/kibana/public/dev_tools/directives/dev_tools_app.js
@@ -5,13 +5,14 @@ import 'plugins/kibana/dev_tools/styles/dev_tools_app.less';
 
 uiModules
 .get('apps/dev_tools')
-.directive('kbnDevToolsApp', function (Private) {
+.directive('kbnDevToolsApp', function (Private, $location) {
   return {
     restrict: 'E',
     template,
     transclude: true,
     link: function ($scope) {
       $scope.devTools = Private(devTools).inOrder;
+      $scope.currentPath = `#${$location.path()}`;
     }
   };
 });
diff --git a/src/core_plugins/kibana/public/dev_tools/partials/dev_tools_app.html b/src/core_plugins/kibana/public/dev_tools/partials/dev_tools_app.html
index b478925a1befb..b3cab408c2621 100644
--- a/src/core_plugins/kibana/public/dev_tools/partials/dev_tools_app.html
+++ b/src/core_plugins/kibana/public/dev_tools/partials/dev_tools_app.html
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
     <bread-crumbs omit-current-page="true"></bread-crumbs>
 
     <ul class="nav navbar-nav">
-      <li ng-repeat="item in devTools">
+      <li ng-repeat="item in devTools" ng-class="{active: currentPath === item.url}">
         <a class="navbar-link" kbn-href="{{::item.url}}">
           {{::item.display}}
         </a>