diff --git a/ionic/components/tabs/tabs.ts b/ionic/components/tabs/tabs.ts
index 0eaa292a97..ae315ca945 100644
--- a/ionic/components/tabs/tabs.ts
+++ b/ionic/components/tabs/tabs.ts
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ export class Tabs extends Ion {
 
   constructor(
     @Optional() viewCtrl: ViewController,
-    parent: NavController,
+    @Optional() parent: NavController,
     private _app: IonicApp,
     private _config: Config,
     private _elementRef: ElementRef,