diff --git a/scss/ionicons/_ionicons-animation.scss b/scss/ionicons/_ionicons-animation.scss
index b232aa54ea..d2f4c3e5f9 100644
--- a/scss/ionicons/_ionicons-animation.scss
+++ b/scss/ionicons/_ionicons-animation.scss
@@ -38,9 +38,8 @@
 .#{$ionicons-prefix}refreshing,
 .#{$ionicons-prefix}ios7-reloading {
   @extend .ion;
-  &:before{
-    @extend .#{$ionicons-prefix}spin;
-  }
+  // must spin entire element for android 4.3 and below
+  @extend .#{$ionicons-prefix}spin;
 }
 
 .#{$ionicons-prefix}loading-a {
@@ -75,4 +74,4 @@
 
 .#{$ionicons-prefix}ios7-reloading:before { 
   @extend .#{$ionicons-prefix}ios7-reload:before;
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}