diff --git a/src/modal/modal.js b/src/modal/modal.js
index 6809c41825..bf8de5374b 100644
--- a/src/modal/modal.js
+++ b/src/modal/modal.js
@@ -201,6 +201,7 @@ angular.module('ui.bootstrap.modal', ['ui.bootstrap.transition'])
         if (evt.which === 27) {
           modal = openedWindows.top();
           if (modal && modal.value.keyboard) {
+            evt.preventDefault();
             $rootScope.$apply(function () {
               $modalStack.dismiss(modal.key, 'escape key press');
             });