diff --git a/src/lib/form-field/form-field.ts b/src/lib/form-field/form-field.ts
index 10f9a3261915..d87e60b0af7b 100644
--- a/src/lib/form-field/form-field.ts
+++ b/src/lib/form-field/form-field.ts
@@ -420,7 +420,7 @@ export class MatFormField extends _MatFormFieldMixinBase
         this._initialGapCalculated = true;
         return;
       }
-      if (!document.contains(this._elementRef.nativeElement)) {
+      if (!document.documentElement.contains(this._elementRef.nativeElement)) {
         return;
       }