diff --git a/src/components/select/select.js b/src/components/select/select.js
index 76f8f183110..28e45c240a3 100755
--- a/src/components/select/select.js
+++ b/src/components/select/select.js
@@ -227,10 +227,12 @@ function SelectDirective($mdSelect, $mdUtil, $mdTheming, $mdAria, $compile, $par
 
       if (attr.name && formCtrl) {
         var selectEl = element.parent()[0].querySelector('select[name=".' + attr.name + '"]');
-        var controller = angular.element(selectEl).controller();
-        if (controller) {
-          formCtrl.$removeControl(controller);
-        }
+        $mdUtil.nextTick(function() {
+          var controller = angular.element(selectEl).controller('ngModel');
+          if (controller) {
+            formCtrl.$removeControl(controller);
+          }
+        });
       }
 
       if (formCtrl) {