diff --git a/dist/js/ionic.js b/dist/js/ionic.js
index bbe584da0d..29730db161 100644
--- a/dist/js/ionic.js
+++ b/dist/js/ionic.js
@@ -4044,7 +4044,7 @@ ionic.views.TabBarItem = ionic.views.View.inherit({
     }
 
     // Set the title to the text content of the tab.
-    this.title = this.el.innerText.trim();
+    this.title = this.el.textContent.trim();
 
     this._tapHandler = function(e) {
       _this.onTap && _this.onTap(e);
diff --git a/js/views/tabBarView.js b/js/views/tabBarView.js
index 8c8fa20807..24c489812c 100644
--- a/js/views/tabBarView.js
+++ b/js/views/tabBarView.js
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ ionic.views.TabBarItem = ionic.views.View.inherit({
     }
 
     // Set the title to the text content of the tab.
-    this.title = this.el.innerText.trim();
+    this.title = this.el.textContent.trim();
 
     this._tapHandler = function(e) {
       _this.onTap && _this.onTap(e);