diff --git a/src/lib/chips/chip-list.spec.ts b/src/lib/chips/chip-list.spec.ts
index dda5c16f2ee..752f05cb97c 100644
--- a/src/lib/chips/chip-list.spec.ts
+++ b/src/lib/chips/chip-list.spec.ts
@@ -212,6 +212,18 @@ describe('MatChipList', () => {
           expect(manager.activeItemIndex).toEqual(1);
         });
 
+        it('should not handle arrow key events from non-chip elements', () => {
+          const event: KeyboardEvent =
+              createKeyboardEvent('keydown', RIGHT_ARROW, chipListNativeElement);
+          const initialActiveIndex = manager.activeItemIndex;
+
+          chipListInstance._keydown(event);
+          fixture.detectChanges();
+
+          expect(manager.activeItemIndex)
+              .toBe(initialActiveIndex, 'Expected focused item not to have changed.');
+        });
+
       });
 
       describe('RTL', () => {
diff --git a/src/lib/chips/chip-list.ts b/src/lib/chips/chip-list.ts
index ff2620dbcae..8f4963a9a03 100644
--- a/src/lib/chips/chip-list.ts
+++ b/src/lib/chips/chip-list.ts
@@ -459,7 +459,7 @@ export class MatChipList extends _MatChipListMixinBase implements MatFormFieldCo
     if (event.keyCode === BACKSPACE && this._isInputEmpty(target)) {
       this._keyManager.setLastItemActive();
       event.preventDefault();
-    } else {
+    } else if (target && target.classList.contains('mat-chip')) {
       this._keyManager.onKeydown(event);
       this.stateChanges.next();
     }