diff --git a/src/components/tabs/js/paginationDirective.js b/src/components/tabs/js/paginationDirective.js
index d51353d975f..a363acc0f2b 100644
--- a/src/components/tabs/js/paginationDirective.js
+++ b/src/components/tabs/js/paginationDirective.js
@@ -20,11 +20,12 @@ function TabPaginationDirective($mdConstant, $window, $$rAF, $$q, $timeout, $mdM
     var tabs = element[0].getElementsByTagName('md-tab');
     var debouncedUpdatePagination = $$rAF.debounce(updatePagination);
     var tabsParent = element.children();
+    var locked = false;
     var state = scope.pagination = {
       page: -1,
       active: false,
-      clickNext: function() { userChangePage(+1); },
-      clickPrevious: function() { userChangePage(-1); }
+      clickNext: function() { locked || userChangePage(+1); },
+      clickPrevious: function() { locked || userChangePage(-1); }
     };
 
     scope.$on('$mdTabsChanged', debouncedUpdatePagination);
@@ -47,7 +48,10 @@ function TabPaginationDirective($mdConstant, $window, $$rAF, $$q, $timeout, $mdM
       } else {
         // Go to the new page, wait for the page transition to end, then focus.
         oldTab && oldTab.element.blur();
-        setPage(pageIndex).then(function() { tab.element.focus(); });
+        setPage(pageIndex).then(function() {
+          locked = false;
+          tab.element.focus();
+        });
       }
     }
 
@@ -57,6 +61,7 @@ function TabPaginationDirective($mdConstant, $window, $$rAF, $$q, $timeout, $mdM
       var newPage = Math.max(0, Math.min(sizeData.pages.length - 1, state.page + increment));
       var newTabIndex = sizeData.pages[newPage][ increment > 0 ? 'firstTabIndex' : 'lastTabIndex' ];
       var newTab = tabsCtrl.itemAt(newTabIndex);
+      locked = true;
       onTabFocus(newTab);
     }