diff --git a/src/lib/checkbox/checkbox.spec.ts b/src/lib/checkbox/checkbox.spec.ts
index 180a4003fa7a..297307b40e94 100644
--- a/src/lib/checkbox/checkbox.spec.ts
+++ b/src/lib/checkbox/checkbox.spec.ts
@@ -710,6 +710,7 @@ describe('MdCheckbox', () => {
     let checkboxDebugElement: DebugElement;
     let checkboxInstance: MdCheckbox;
     let testComponent: CheckboxWithFormControl;
+    let inputElement: HTMLInputElement;
 
     beforeEach(() => {
       fixture = TestBed.createComponent(CheckboxWithFormControl);
@@ -718,6 +719,7 @@ describe('MdCheckbox', () => {
       checkboxDebugElement = fixture.debugElement.query(By.directive(MdCheckbox));
       checkboxInstance = checkboxDebugElement.componentInstance;
       testComponent = fixture.debugElement.componentInstance;
+      inputElement = <HTMLInputElement>checkboxDebugElement.nativeElement.querySelector('input');
     });
 
     it('should toggle the disabled state', () => {
@@ -727,11 +729,13 @@ describe('MdCheckbox', () => {
       fixture.detectChanges();
 
       expect(checkboxInstance.disabled).toBe(true);
+      expect(inputElement.disabled).toBe(true);
 
       testComponent.formControl.enable();
       fixture.detectChanges();
 
       expect(checkboxInstance.disabled).toBe(false);
+      expect(inputElement.disabled).toBe(false);
     });
   });
 });
diff --git a/src/lib/checkbox/checkbox.ts b/src/lib/checkbox/checkbox.ts
index e7a69a412169..ef0d34d5e5ce 100644
--- a/src/lib/checkbox/checkbox.ts
+++ b/src/lib/checkbox/checkbox.ts
@@ -304,6 +304,7 @@ export class MdCheckbox implements ControlValueAccessor, AfterViewInit, OnDestro
    */
   setDisabledState(isDisabled: boolean) {
     this.disabled = isDisabled;
+    this._changeDetectorRef.markForCheck();
   }
 
   private _transitionCheckState(newState: TransitionCheckState) {