diff --git a/sphinx/writers/html5.py b/sphinx/writers/html5.py
index e7d932286c5..5aea3ddb817 100644
--- a/sphinx/writers/html5.py
+++ b/sphinx/writers/html5.py
@@ -887,3 +887,12 @@ def depart_math_block(self, node: Element, math_env: str = '') -> None:
         _, depart = self.builder.app.registry.html_block_math_renderers[name]
         if depart:  # type: ignore[truthy-function]
             depart(self, node)
+
+    # See Docutils r9413
+    # Re-instate the footnote-reference class
+    def visit_footnote_reference(self, node):
+        href = '#' + node['refid']
+        classes = ['footnote-reference', self.settings.footnote_references]
+        self.body.append(self.starttag(node, 'a', suffix='', classes=classes,
+                                       role='doc-noteref', href=href))
+        self.body.append('<span class="fn-bracket">[</span>')