diff --git a/js/events/navigate.js b/js/events/navigate.js
index dac95be110b..8c1331cf647 100644
--- a/js/events/navigate.js
+++ b/js/events/navigate.js
@@ -17,8 +17,17 @@ define([ "jquery", "./../jquery.mobile.ns", "./../jquery.mobile.support" ], func
 
 		originalEventName: undefined,
 
+		// If pushstate support is present and push state support is defined to
+		// be true on the mobile namespace.
 		isPushStateEnabled: function() {
-			return $.support.pushState && $.mobile && $.mobile.pushStateEnabled;
+			return $.support.pushState &&
+				$.mobile.pushStateEnabled === true &&
+				this.isHashChangeEnabled();
+		},
+
+		// !! assumes mobile namespace is present
+		isHashChangeEnabled: function() {
+			return $.mobile.hashListeningEnabled === true;
 		},
 
 		// TODO a lot of duplication between popstate and hashchange
@@ -92,7 +101,7 @@ define([ "jquery", "./../jquery.mobile.ns", "./../jquery.mobile.support" ], func
 			if( self.isPushStateEnabled() ) {
 				self.originalEventName = "popstate";
 				$win.bind( "popstate.navigate", self.popstate );
-			} else {
+			} else if ( self.isHashChangeEnabled() ){
 				self.originalEventName = "hashchange";
 				$win.bind( "hashchange.navigate", self.hashchange );
 			}
diff --git a/js/navigation/navigator.js b/js/navigation/navigator.js
index 9cd2ade690b..2ce7d406073 100644
--- a/js/navigation/navigator.js
+++ b/js/navigation/navigator.js
@@ -239,11 +239,12 @@ define(["jquery",
 		// TODO add a check here that `hashchange.navigate` is bound already otherwise it's
 		//      broken (exception?)
 		hashchange: function( event ) {
-			var history = this.history, hash = path.parseLocation().hash;
+			var history, hash;
 
-			// If pushstate is supported the state will be included in the popstate event
-			// data and appended to the navigate event. Late check here for late settings (eg tests)
-			if( $.event.special.navigate.isPushStateEnabled() ) {
+			// If hashchange listening is explicitly disabled or pushstate is supported
+			// avoid making use of the hashchange handler.
+			if(!$.event.special.navigate.isHashChangeEnabled() ||
+				$.event.special.navigate.isPushStateEnabled() ) {
 				return;
 			}
 
@@ -255,6 +256,9 @@ define(["jquery",
 				return;
 			}
 
+			history = this.history;
+			hash = path.parseLocation().hash;
+
 			// If this is a hashchange caused by the back or forward button
 			// make sure to set the state of our history stack properly
 			this.history.direct({