diff --git a/src/components/chips/js/chipsController.js b/src/components/chips/js/chipsController.js
index f292ab3fff8..103d9d9dece 100644
--- a/src/components/chips/js/chipsController.js
+++ b/src/components/chips/js/chipsController.js
@@ -116,8 +116,8 @@
         this.removeAndSelectAdjacentChip(this.selectedChip);
         break;
       case this.$mdConstant.KEY_CODE.LEFT_ARROW:
-        if (this.selectedChip < 0) this.selectedChip = this.items.length;
         event.preventDefault();
+        if (this.selectedChip < 0) this.selectedChip = this.items.length;
         if (this.items.length) this.selectAndFocusChipSafe(this.selectedChip - 1);
         break;
       case this.$mdConstant.KEY_CODE.RIGHT_ARROW:
@@ -331,7 +331,7 @@
     inputElement
         .attr({ tabindex: 0 })
         .on('keydown', function(event) { scope.$apply(function() { ctrl.inputKeydown(event); }); })
-        .on('focus', function () { scope.$apply(function () { ctrl.selectedChip = null; }); });
+        .on('focus', function () { ctrl.selectedChip = -1; });
   };
 
   MdChipsCtrl.prototype.configureAutocomplete = function(ctrl) {