diff --git a/src/datepicker/datepicker.js b/src/datepicker/datepicker.js
index c597bbf1d0..87f93683bf 100644
--- a/src/datepicker/datepicker.js
+++ b/src/datepicker/datepicker.js
@@ -629,7 +629,16 @@ function(scope, element, attrs, $compile, $parse, $document, $rootScope, $positi
         scope.$parent.$watch(getAttribute, function(value) {
           scope.watchData[key] = value;
           if (key === 'minDate' || key === 'maxDate') {
-            cache[key] = new Date(value);
+            var date = parseDate(value);
+            if(!date) {
+              var tryDate = new Date(value);
+              if(angular.isDate(tryDate) && !isNaN(tryDate)) {
+                dateArray = tryDate.toISOString().split('T')[0].split('-');
+                date = new Date(+dateArray[0], +dateArray[1] - 1, +dateArray[2]);
+              }
+            }
+            scope.watchData[key] = date;
+            cache[key] = date;
           }
         });
         datepickerEl.attr(cameltoDash(key), 'watchData.' + key);
diff --git a/src/datepicker/test/datepicker.spec.js b/src/datepicker/test/datepicker.spec.js
index cc20d15926..1b97feb9af 100644
--- a/src/datepicker/test/datepicker.spec.js
+++ b/src/datepicker/test/datepicker.spec.js
@@ -1948,6 +1948,17 @@ describe('datepicker directive', function() {
             expect(buttons.eq(0).prop('disabled')).toBe(true);
           });
 
+          it('should disable today button if before min date, literal case', function() {
+            var minDate = new Date(new Date().setDate(new Date().getDate() + 1));
+            var literalMinDate = minDate.toISOString().split('T')[0];
+            var wrapElement = $compile('<div><input ng-model="date" uib-datepicker-popup min-date="\'' + literalMinDate + '\'" is-open="true"><div>')($rootScope);
+            $rootScope.$digest();
+            assignElements(wrapElement);
+            assignButtonBar();
+
+            expect(buttons.eq(0).prop('disabled')).toBe(true);
+          });
+
           it('should disable today button if after max date', function() {
             $rootScope.maxDate = new Date().setDate(new Date().getDate() - 2);
             var wrapElement = $compile('<div><input ng-model="date" uib-datepicker-popup max-date="maxDate" is-open="true"><div>')($rootScope);