diff --git a/js/utils/activator.js b/js/utils/activator.js
index c478c5b1c9..47f42f1d1a 100644
--- a/js/utils/activator.js
+++ b/js/utils/activator.js
@@ -9,9 +9,11 @@
   ionic.activator = {
 
     start: function(e) {
+
       // when an element is touched/clicked, it climbs up a few
       // parents to see if it is an .item or .button element
       ionic.requestAnimationFrame(function(){
+        if (tapRequiresNativeClick(e.target)) return;
         var ele = e.target;
         var eleToActivate;
 
diff --git a/test/unit/angular/service/activator.unit.js b/test/unit/angular/service/activator.unit.js
index cb59bc51e2..658f27518d 100644
--- a/test/unit/angular/service/activator.unit.js
+++ b/test/unit/angular/service/activator.unit.js
@@ -4,6 +4,13 @@ describe('Ionic Element Activator', function() {
     window.setTimeout = ionic.requestAnimationFrame = function(cb) { cb(); };
   });
 
+  it('should not active an <a> if tapRequiresNativeClick is true', function() {
+    spyOn(window, 'tapRequiresNativeClick').andReturn(true);
+    var e = { target: document.createElement('a') };
+    ionic.activator.start(e);
+    expect(e.target.classList.contains('activated')).toEqual(false);
+  });
+
   it('Should activate an <a>', function() {
     var e = { target: document.createElement('a') };
     ionic.activator.start(e);