diff --git a/src/tabs/tabs.js b/src/tabs/tabs.js
index e1b5ee8485..f3a903f2db 100644
--- a/src/tabs/tabs.js
+++ b/src/tabs/tabs.js
@@ -37,14 +37,19 @@ angular.module('ui.bootstrap.tabs', [])
 
   ctrl.removeTab = function removeTab(tab) {
     var index = tabs.indexOf(tab);
-    //Select a new tab if the tab to be removed is selected
-    if (tab.active && tabs.length > 1) {
+    //Select a new tab if the tab to be removed is selected and not destroying
+    if (tab.active && tabs.length > 1 && !destroyed) {
       //If this is the last tab, select the previous tab. else, the next tab.
       var newActiveIndex = index == tabs.length - 1 ? index - 1 : index + 1;
       ctrl.select(tabs[newActiveIndex]);
     }
     tabs.splice(index, 1);
   };
+
+  var destroyed;
+  $scope.$on('$destroy', function() {
+    destroyed = true;
+  });
 }])
 
 /**
diff --git a/src/tabs/test/tabs.spec.js b/src/tabs/test/tabs.spec.js
index bf5e2c671c..622182a19a 100644
--- a/src/tabs/test/tabs.spec.js
+++ b/src/tabs/test/tabs.spec.js
@@ -513,6 +513,45 @@ describe('tabs', function() {
       expect(titles().eq(1)).toHaveClass('active');
       expect(contents().eq(1)).toHaveClass('active');
     }));
+
+    it('should not select tabs when being destroyed', inject(function($controller, $compile, $rootScope){
+      var selectList = [],
+          deselectList = [],
+          getTab = function(active){
+            return {
+              active: active,
+              select : function(){
+                selectList.push('select');
+              },
+              deselect : function(){
+                deselectList.push('deselect');
+              }
+            };
+          };
+      
+      scope = $rootScope.$new();
+      scope.tabs = [
+        getTab(true),
+        getTab(false)
+      ];
+      elm = $compile([
+        '<tabset>',
+        '  <tab ng-repeat="t in tabs" active="t.active" select="t.select()" deselect="t.deselect()">',
+        '    <tab-heading><b>heading</b> {{index}}</tab-heading>',
+        '    content {{$index}}',
+        '  </tab>',
+        '</tabset>'
+      ].join('\n'))(scope);
+      scope.$apply();
+      
+      // The first tab is selected the during the initial $digest.
+      expect(selectList.length).toEqual(1);
+      
+      // Destroy the tabs - we should not trigger selection/deselection any more.
+      scope.$destroy();
+      expect(selectList.length).toEqual(1);
+      expect(deselectList.length).toEqual(0);
+    }));
   });
 
   describe('disabled', function() {