diff --git a/src/uiSelectChoicesDirective.js b/src/uiSelectChoicesDirective.js
index ed4997f81..463a2bcf2 100644
--- a/src/uiSelectChoicesDirective.js
+++ b/src/uiSelectChoicesDirective.js
@@ -61,10 +61,6 @@ uis.directive('uiSelectChoices',
 
         $select.dropdownPosition = attrs.position ? attrs.position.toLowerCase() : uiSelectConfig.dropdownPosition;        
 
-        scope.$on('$destroy', function() {
-          choices.remove();
-        });
-
         scope.$watch('$select.search', function(newValue) {
           if(newValue && !$select.open && $select.multiple) $select.activate(false, true);
           $select.activeIndex = $select.tagging.isActivated ? -1 : 0;
@@ -83,9 +79,9 @@ uis.directive('uiSelectChoices',
 
         scope.$watch('$select.open', function(open) {
           if (open) {
-            tElement.attr('role', 'listbox');
+            element.attr('role', 'listbox');
           } else {
-            tElement.removeAttr('role');
+            element.removeAttr('role');
           }
         });
       };