diff --git a/applets/appmenu/lib/appmenuapplet.cpp b/applets/appmenu/lib/appmenuapplet.cpp
--- a/applets/appmenu/lib/appmenuapplet.cpp
+++ b/applets/appmenu/lib/appmenuapplet.cpp
@@ -228,7 +228,13 @@
 
         // FIXME TODO connect only once
         connect(actionMenu, &QMenu::aboutToHide, this, &AppMenuApplet::onMenuAboutToHide, Qt::UniqueConnection);
-        return;
+    } else { // is it just an action without a menu?
+        const QVariant data = m_model->index(idx, 0).data(AppMenuModel::ActionRole);
+        QAction *action = static_cast<QAction *>(data.value<void *>());
+        if (action) {
+            Q_ASSERT(!action->menu());
+            action->trigger();
+        }
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/applets/appmenu/package/contents/ui/main.qml b/applets/appmenu/package/contents/ui/main.qml
--- a/applets/appmenu/package/contents/ui/main.qml
+++ b/applets/appmenu/package/contents/ui/main.qml
@@ -124,6 +124,10 @@
                 visible: text !== ""
                 onClicked: {
                     plasmoid.nativeInterface.trigger(this, index)
+
+                    checked = Qt.binding(function() {
+                        return plasmoid.nativeInterface.currentIndex === index;
+                    });
                 }
             }
         }