diff --git a/dist/js/ionic-angular.js b/dist/js/ionic-angular.js
index 594a8dc65a..ed3a617d5a 100644
--- a/dist/js/ionic-angular.js
+++ b/dist/js/ionic-angular.js
@@ -741,10 +741,12 @@ angular.module('ionic.ui.sideMenu', ['ionic.service.gesture'])
     require: '^sideMenuCtrl',
     replace: true,
     transclude: true,
+    scope: {
+      side: '@'
+    },
     template: '<div class="menu menu-{{side}}"></div>',
     compile: function(element, attr, transclude) {
       return function($scope, $element, $attr, sideMenuCtrl) {
-        $scope.side = attr.side;
 
         if($scope.side == 'left') {
           sideMenuCtrl.left.isEnabled = true;
diff --git a/js/ext/angular/src/directive/ionicSideMenu.js b/js/ext/angular/src/directive/ionicSideMenu.js
index c9bae40e35..bbe9c3f97c 100644
--- a/js/ext/angular/src/directive/ionicSideMenu.js
+++ b/js/ext/angular/src/directive/ionicSideMenu.js
@@ -101,10 +101,12 @@ angular.module('ionic.ui.sideMenu', ['ionic.service.gesture'])
     require: '^sideMenuCtrl',
     replace: true,
     transclude: true,
+    scope: {
+      side: '@'
+    },
     template: '<div class="menu menu-{{side}}"></div>',
     compile: function(element, attr, transclude) {
       return function($scope, $element, $attr, sideMenuCtrl) {
-        $scope.side = attr.side;
 
         if($scope.side == 'left') {
           sideMenuCtrl.left.isEnabled = true;