diff --git a/src/viewDirective.js b/src/viewDirective.js
index d3cf100a2..b70220779 100644
--- a/src/viewDirective.js
+++ b/src/viewDirective.js
@@ -274,6 +274,7 @@ function $ViewDirectiveFill (  $compile,   $controller,   $state,   $interpolate
 
         if (locals.$$controller) {
           locals.$scope = scope;
+          locals.$element = $element;
           var controller = $controller(locals.$$controller, locals);
           if (locals.$$controllerAs) {
             scope[locals.$$controllerAs] = controller;