diff --git a/src/components/tabs/js/tabsController.js b/src/components/tabs/js/tabsController.js
index b246f3f69fd..2672f2c1d99 100644
--- a/src/components/tabs/js/tabsController.js
+++ b/src/components/tabs/js/tabsController.js
@@ -277,7 +277,7 @@ function MdTabsController ($scope, $element, $window, $mdConstant, $mdTabInkRipp
       case $mdConstant.KEY_CODE.SPACE:
       case $mdConstant.KEY_CODE.ENTER:
         event.preventDefault();
-        if (!locked) ctrl.selectedIndex = ctrl.focusIndex;
+        if (!locked) select(ctrl.focusIndex);
         break;
     }
     ctrl.lastClick = false;