diff --git a/src/ng/browser.js b/src/ng/browser.js
index 8bd6b424bff8..fbebe01b3b8b 100644
--- a/src/ng/browser.js
+++ b/src/ng/browser.js
@@ -135,6 +135,26 @@ function Browser(window, document, $log, $sniffer) {
   cacheState();
   lastHistoryState = cachedState;
 
+  /**
+   * @name $browser#forceReloadLocationUpdate
+   *
+   * @description
+   * This method is a setter.
+   *
+   * If the reloadLocation variable is already set, it will be reset to
+   * the passed-in URL.
+   *
+   * NOTE: this api is intended for use only by the $location service in the
+   * $locationWatch function.
+   *
+   * @param {string} url New url
+   */
+  self.forceReloadLocationUpdate = function(url) {
+    if (reloadLocation) {
+      reloadLocation = url;
+    }
+  };
+
   /**
    * @name $browser#url
    *
diff --git a/src/ng/location.js b/src/ng/location.js
index ffee4cd4820f..5c24f66534c2 100644
--- a/src/ng/location.js
+++ b/src/ng/location.js
@@ -883,7 +883,7 @@ function $LocationProvider() {
       $browser.url($location.absUrl(), true);
     }
 
-    var initializing = true;
+    var initializing = true, previousOldUrl = null, previousNewUrl = null;
 
     // update $location when $browser url changes
     $browser.onUrlChange(function(newUrl, newState) {
@@ -918,6 +918,14 @@ function $LocationProvider() {
     $rootScope.$watch(function $locationWatch() {
       var oldUrl = trimEmptyHash($browser.url());
       var newUrl = trimEmptyHash($location.absUrl());
+      if ($location.$$html5 && !$sniffer.history && 
+         (previousOldUrl === oldUrl) && (previousNewUrl === newUrl)) {
+        // break out of infinite $digest loops caused by default routes in hashbang mode
+        $browser.forceReloadLocationUpdate(newUrl);
+        previousOldUrl = previousNewUrl = null;
+        return;
+      }
+      previousOldUrl = oldUrl, previousNewUrl = newUrl;
       var oldState = $browser.state();
       var currentReplace = $location.$$replace;
       var urlOrStateChanged = oldUrl !== newUrl ||
@@ -944,6 +952,9 @@ function $LocationProvider() {
                                         oldState === $location.$$state ? null : $location.$$state);
             }
             afterLocationChange(oldUrl, oldState);
+            //if ($location.$$html5 && $location.absUrl().indexOf("#") > -1 && $location.absUrl() !== $browser.url()) {
+            //    $browser.forceReloadLocationUpdate($location.absUrl());
+            //}
           }
         });
       }