diff --git a/src/typeahead/test/typeahead.spec.js b/src/typeahead/test/typeahead.spec.js
index f4d1806f14..850215e5ae 100644
--- a/src/typeahead/test/typeahead.spec.js
+++ b/src/typeahead/test/typeahead.spec.js
@@ -64,10 +64,14 @@ describe('typeahead tests', function() {
     return findDropDown(element).find('li');
   };
 
-  var triggerKeyDown = function(element, keyCode) {
+  var triggerKeyDown = function(element, keyCode, options) {
+    options = options || {};
     var inputEl = findInput(element);
     var e = $.Event('keydown');
     e.which = keyCode;
+    if (options.shiftKey) {
+      e.shiftKey = true;
+    }
     inputEl.trigger(e);
   };
 
@@ -1351,6 +1355,23 @@ describe('typeahead tests', function() {
     expect(element).toBeClosed();
   });
 
+  it("should not capture tab when shift key is pressed", function(){
+    $scope.select_count = 0;
+    $scope.onSelect = function($item, $model, $label) {
+      $scope.select_count = $scope.select_count + 1;
+    };
+    var element = prepareInputEl('<div><input ng-model="result" ng-keydown="keyDownEvent = $event" uib-typeahead="item for item in source | filter:$viewValue" typeahead-on-select="onSelect($item, $model, $label)" typeahead-focus-first="false"></div>');
+    changeInputValueTo(element, 'b');
+
+    // down key should be captured and focus first element
+    triggerKeyDown(element, 40);
+
+    triggerKeyDown(element, 9, {shiftKey: true});
+    expect($scope.keyDownEvent.isDefaultPrevented()).toBeFalsy();
+    expect($scope.select_count).toEqual(0);
+    expect(element).toBeClosed();
+  });
+
   it('should capture enter or tab when an item is focused', function() {
     $scope.select_count = 0;
     $scope.onSelect = function($item, $model, $label) {
diff --git a/src/typeahead/typeahead.js b/src/typeahead/typeahead.js
index 2b94f0666a..ac856c8ebf 100644
--- a/src/typeahead/typeahead.js
+++ b/src/typeahead/typeahead.js
@@ -370,8 +370,13 @@ angular.module('ui.bootstrap.typeahead', ['ui.bootstrap.debounce', 'ui.bootstrap
         return;
       }
 
-      // if there's nothing selected (i.e. focusFirst) and enter or tab is hit, clear the results
-      if (scope.activeIdx === -1 && (evt.which === 9 || evt.which === 13)) {
+      /**
+       * if there's nothing selected (i.e. focusFirst) and enter or tab is hit
+       * or
+       * shift + tab is pressed to bring focus to the previous element
+       * then clear the results
+       */
+      if (scope.activeIdx === -1 && (evt.which === 9 || evt.which === 13) || evt.which === 9 && !!evt.shiftKey) {
         resetMatches();
         scope.$digest();
         return;