diff --git a/src/components/checkbox/checkbox.scss b/src/components/checkbox/checkbox.scss
index 7b7567cf443..c6242e40f75 100644
--- a/src/components/checkbox/checkbox.scss
+++ b/src/components/checkbox/checkbox.scss
@@ -59,6 +59,10 @@ md-checkbox {
     @include rtl(left, 0, auto);
     @include rtl(right, auto, 0);
 
+    // Disable pointer events, because IE11 is always focusing the child elements instead of the
+    // md-checkbox element.
+    pointer-events: none;
+    
     &:before {
       box-sizing: border-box;
       background-color: transparent;