diff --git src/wp-includes/class-wp-customize-nav-menus.php src/wp-includes/class-wp-customize-nav-menus.php
index 5453c17..d34e38d 100644
--- src/wp-includes/class-wp-customize-nav-menus.php
+++ src/wp-includes/class-wp-customize-nav-menus.php
@@ -867,6 +867,12 @@ final class WP_Customize_Nav_Menus {
 				||
 				( ! empty( $args['menu'] ) && ( is_numeric( $args['menu'] ) || is_object( $args['menu'] ) ) )
 			)
+			&&
+			(
+				! empty( $args['container'] )
+				||
+				'<' === substr( $args['items_wrap'], 0, 1 )
+			)
 		);
 		$args['can_partial_refresh'] = $can_partial_refresh;