diff --git a/src/ui-ace.js b/src/ui-ace.js
index 43ae7f7..e75651d 100644
--- a/src/ui-ace.js
+++ b/src/ui-ace.js
@@ -222,7 +222,11 @@ angular.module('ui.ace', [])
             return function (e) {
               var newValue = session.getValue();
 
-              if (ngModel && newValue !== ngModel.$viewValue) {
+              if (ngModel && newValue !== ngModel.$viewValue &&
+                  // HACK make sure to only trigger the apply outside of the
+                  // digest loop 'cause ACE is actually using this callback
+                  // for any text transformation !
+                  !scope.$$phase && !scope.$root.$$phase) {
                 scope.$applyAsync(function () {
                   ngModel.$setViewValue(newValue);
                 });