diff --git a/src/components/carousel/carousel.component.ts b/src/components/carousel/carousel.component.ts
index 75db0bfe..dcae6044 100644
--- a/src/components/carousel/carousel.component.ts
+++ b/src/components/carousel/carousel.component.ts
@@ -498,7 +498,7 @@ export default class SlCarousel extends ShoelaceElement {
     const currentPage = this.getCurrentPage();
     const prevEnabled = this.canScrollPrev();
     const nextEnabled = this.canScrollNext();
-    const isLtr = this.matches(':dir(ltr)');
+    const isLtr = this.localize.dir() === 'rtl';
 
     return html`
       <div part="base" class="carousel">