diff --git a/src/lib/core/overlay/overlay-directives.spec.ts b/src/lib/core/overlay/overlay-directives.spec.ts
index e06b5df5c58e..2043e28df64c 100644
--- a/src/lib/core/overlay/overlay-directives.spec.ts
+++ b/src/lib/core/overlay/overlay-directives.spec.ts
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ describe('Overlay directives', () => {
 
     expect(overlayContainerElement.textContent).toContain('Menu content');
     expect(getPaneElement().style.pointerEvents)
-      .toBeFalsy('Expected the overlay pane to enable pointerEvents when attached.');
+      .toBe('auto', 'Expected the overlay pane to enable pointerEvents when attached.');
 
     fixture.componentInstance.isOpen = false;
     fixture.detectChanges();
diff --git a/src/lib/core/overlay/overlay-ref.ts b/src/lib/core/overlay/overlay-ref.ts
index c155303622d2..f614ba7b3bcb 100644
--- a/src/lib/core/overlay/overlay-ref.ts
+++ b/src/lib/core/overlay/overlay-ref.ts
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ export class OverlayRef implements PortalHost {
 
   /** Toggles the pointer events for the overlay pane element. */
   private _togglePointerEvents(enablePointer: boolean) {
-    this._pane.style.pointerEvents = enablePointer ? null : 'none';
+    this._pane.style.pointerEvents = enablePointer ? 'auto' : 'none';
   }
 
   /** Attaches a backdrop for this overlay. */
diff --git a/src/lib/core/overlay/overlay.spec.ts b/src/lib/core/overlay/overlay.spec.ts
index e4854e2e7d91..6c750c26748a 100644
--- a/src/lib/core/overlay/overlay.spec.ts
+++ b/src/lib/core/overlay/overlay.spec.ts
@@ -67,10 +67,11 @@ describe('Overlay', () => {
     let paneElement = overlayRef.overlayElement;
 
     overlayRef.attach(componentPortal);
+    viewContainerFixture.detectChanges();
 
     expect(paneElement.childNodes.length).not.toBe(0);
     expect(paneElement.style.pointerEvents)
-      .toBeFalsy('Expected the overlay pane to enable pointerEvents when attached.');
+      .toBe('auto', 'Expected the overlay pane to enable pointerEvents when attached.');
 
     overlayRef.detach();