diff --git a/src/dropdown/dropdown.js b/src/dropdown/dropdown.js
index 36d357990d..1e666f2a7f 100644
--- a/src/dropdown/dropdown.js
+++ b/src/dropdown/dropdown.js
@@ -551,7 +551,7 @@ angular.module('ui.bootstrap.dropdown')
     restrict: 'AC',
     require: '?^dropdown',
     link: function(scope, element, attrs, dropdownCtrl) {
-      if (!dropdownCtrl) {
+      if (!dropdownCtrl || angular.isDefined(attrs.dropdownNested)) {
         return;
       }