diff --git a/src/components/tabs/js/tabsController.js b/src/components/tabs/js/tabsController.js
index 4b010a85a2d..ed277e03706 100644
--- a/src/components/tabs/js/tabsController.js
+++ b/src/components/tabs/js/tabsController.js
@@ -528,7 +528,7 @@ function MdTabsController ($scope, $element, $window, $mdConstant, $mdTabInkRipp
   }
 
   function getMaxTabWidth () {
-    return elements.canvas.clientWidth;
+    return $element.prop('clientWidth');
   }
 
   /**