diff --git a/dist/angular-selectize.js b/dist/angular-selectize.js
index a009975..a8d9102 100755
--- a/dist/angular-selectize.js
+++ b/dist/angular-selectize.js
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ angular.module('selectize', []).value('selectizeConfig', {}).directive("selectiz
       }
 
       var validate = function() {
-        var isInvalid = (scope.ngRequired() || attrs.required || settings.required) && isEmpty(scope.ngModel);
+        var isInvalid = (scope.ngRequired() || attrs.required || settings.required) && isEmpty(modelCtrl.$modelValue);
         modelCtrl.$setValidity('required', !isInvalid);
       };
 
@@ -51,8 +51,8 @@ angular.module('selectize', []).value('selectizeConfig', {}).directive("selectiz
         selectize.$control.toggleClass('ng-dirty', modelCtrl.$dirty);
         selectize.$control.toggleClass('ng-pristine', modelCtrl.$pristine);
 
-        if (!angular.equals(selectize.items, scope.ngModel)) {
-          selectize.setValue(scope.ngModel, true);
+        if (!angular.equals(selectize.items, modelCtrl.$modelValue)) {
+          selectize.setValue(modelCtrl.$modelValue, true);
         }
       }