diff --git a/src/modal/docs/readme.md b/src/modal/docs/readme.md
index 573b2510f6..58cec60fd8 100644
--- a/src/modal/docs/readme.md
+++ b/src/modal/docs/readme.md
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ The `$modal` service has only one method: `open(options)` where available option
 * `scope` - a scope instance to be used for the modal's content (actually the `$modal` service is going to create a child scope of a provided scope). Defaults to `$rootScope`
 * `controller` - a controller for a modal instance - it can initialize scope used by modal. Accepts the "controller-as" syntax in the form 'SomeCtrl as myctrl'; can be injected with `$modalInstance`
 * `controllerAs` - an alternative to the controller-as syntax, matching the API of directive definitions. Requires the `controller` option to be provided as well
+* `bindToController` - when used with `controllerAs` & set to `true`, it will bind the controller properties onto the `$scope` directly
 * `resolve` - members that will be resolved and passed to the controller as locals; it is equivalent of the `resolve` property for AngularJS routes
 * `animation` - set to false to disable animations on new modal/backdrop. Does not toggle animations for modals/backdrops that are already displayed.
 * `backdrop` - controls presence of a backdrop. Allowed values: true (default), false (no backdrop), `'static'` - backdrop is present but modal window is not closed when clicking outside of the modal window.
diff --git a/src/modal/modal.js b/src/modal/modal.js
index 7d91190e5c..67a7c60559 100644
--- a/src/modal/modal.js
+++ b/src/modal/modal.js
@@ -464,7 +464,11 @@ angular.module('ui.bootstrap.modal', [])
 
                 ctrlInstance = $controller(modalOptions.controller, ctrlLocals);
                 if (modalOptions.controllerAs) {
-                  modalScope[modalOptions.controllerAs] = ctrlInstance;
+                  if (modalOptions.bindToController) {
+                    angular.extend(modalScope, ctrlInstance);
+                  } else {
+                    modalScope[modalOptions.controllerAs] = ctrlInstance;
+                  }
                 }
               }
 
diff --git a/src/modal/test/modal.spec.js b/src/modal/test/modal.spec.js
index 4d9ea9d699..3dfd6c5654 100644
--- a/src/modal/test/modal.spec.js
+++ b/src/modal/test/modal.spec.js
@@ -440,6 +440,14 @@ describe('$modal', function () {
         }, controllerAs: 'test'});
         expect($document).toHaveModalOpenWithContent('Content from ctrl true', 'div');
       });
+
+      it('should allow usage of bindToController', function () {
+        open({template: '<div>{{fromCtrl}} {{isModalInstance}}</div>', controller: function($modalInstance) {
+          this.fromCtrl = 'Content from ctrl';
+          this.isModalInstance = angular.isObject($modalInstance) && angular.isFunction($modalInstance.close);
+        }, controllerAs: 'test', bindToController: true});
+        expect($document).toHaveModalOpenWithContent('Content from ctrl true', 'div');
+      });
     });
 
     describe('resolve', function () {