diff --git a/components/style/stylist.rs b/components/style/stylist.rs
index f93d76a5879..c02a5f197e6 100644
--- a/components/style/stylist.rs
+++ b/components/style/stylist.rs
@@ -622,19 +622,21 @@ impl Stylist {
                                               CascadeLevel::UANormal);
         debug!("UA normal: {:?}", relations);
 
-        // Step 2: Presentational hints.
-        let length_before_preshints = applicable_declarations.len();
-        element.synthesize_presentational_hints_for_legacy_attributes(applicable_declarations);
-        if applicable_declarations.len() != length_before_preshints {
-            if cfg!(debug_assertions) {
-                for declaration in &applicable_declarations[length_before_preshints..] {
-                    assert_eq!(declaration.level, CascadeLevel::PresHints);
+        if pseudo_element.is_none() {
+            // Step 2: Presentational hints.
+            let length_before_preshints = applicable_declarations.len();
+            element.synthesize_presentational_hints_for_legacy_attributes(applicable_declarations);
+            if applicable_declarations.len() != length_before_preshints {
+                if cfg!(debug_assertions) {
+                    for declaration in &applicable_declarations[length_before_preshints..] {
+                        assert_eq!(declaration.level, CascadeLevel::PresHints);
+                    }
                 }
+                // Never share style for elements with preshints
+                relations |= AFFECTED_BY_PRESENTATIONAL_HINTS;
             }
-            // Never share style for elements with preshints
-            relations |= AFFECTED_BY_PRESENTATIONAL_HINTS;
+            debug!("preshints: {:?}", relations);
         }
-        debug!("preshints: {:?}", relations);
 
         if element.matches_user_and_author_rules() {
             // Step 3: User and author normal rules.