diff --git a/src/datepicker/datepicker.js b/src/datepicker/datepicker.js
index bc2354f110..29b3e0fc19 100644
--- a/src/datepicker/datepicker.js
+++ b/src/datepicker/datepicker.js
@@ -490,7 +490,7 @@ function ($compile, $parse, $document, $position, dateFilter, dateParser, datepi
           if ( key === 'datepickerMode' ) {
             var setAttribute = getAttribute.assign;
             scope.$watch('watchData.' + key, function(value, oldvalue) {
-              if ( value !== oldvalue ) {
+              if ( typeof setAttribute === 'function' && value !== oldvalue ) {
                 setAttribute(scope.$parent, value);
               }
             });