diff --git a/src/lib/select/select.spec.ts b/src/lib/select/select.spec.ts
index 215b99a0340..f618cf5b88b 100644
--- a/src/lib/select/select.spec.ts
+++ b/src/lib/select/select.spec.ts
@@ -125,6 +125,16 @@ describe('MdSelect', () => {
       });
     }));
 
+    it('should not attempt to open a select that does not have any options', () => {
+      fixture.componentInstance.foods = [];
+      fixture.detectChanges();
+
+      trigger.click();
+      fixture.detectChanges();
+
+      expect(fixture.componentInstance.select.panelOpen).toBe(false);
+    });
+
   });
 
   describe('selection logic', () => {
diff --git a/src/lib/select/select.ts b/src/lib/select/select.ts
index 259057a20a6..9d99134b0a3 100644
--- a/src/lib/select/select.ts
+++ b/src/lib/select/select.ts
@@ -268,7 +268,7 @@ export class MdSelect implements AfterContentInit, ControlValueAccessor, OnDestr
 
   /** Opens the overlay panel. */
   open(): void {
-    if (this.disabled) {
+    if (this.disabled || !this.options.length) {
       return;
     }
     this._calculateOverlayPosition();