diff --git a/src/core/services/gesture/gesture.js b/src/core/services/gesture/gesture.js
index c1383cc13b9..d9eb8f7a3c4 100644
--- a/src/core/services/gesture/gesture.js
+++ b/src/core/services/gesture/gesture.js
@@ -11,8 +11,11 @@ var END_EVENTS = 'mouseup mouseleave touchend touchcancel pointerup pointercance
 var HANDLERS;
 
 document.addEventListener('click', function(ev) {
+  // Space/enter on a button, and submit events, can send clicks
+  var isKeyClick = ev.clientX === 0 && ev.clientY === 0 && 
+    ev.x === 0 && ev.y === 0;
   // Prevent clicks unless they're sent by material
-  if (!ev.$material) {
+  if (!isKeyClick && !ev.$material) {
     ev.preventDefault();
     ev.stopPropagation();
   }
diff --git a/src/core/services/gesture/gesture.spec.js b/src/core/services/gesture/gesture.spec.js
index 600086780dd..e90272b4d80 100644
--- a/src/core/services/gesture/gesture.spec.js
+++ b/src/core/services/gesture/gesture.spec.js
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 describe('$mdGesture', function() {
+
   beforeEach(module('material.core', function() {
     angular.element(document).triggerHandler('$$mdGestureReset');
   }));