diff --git a/lib/components/ModalPortal.js b/lib/components/ModalPortal.js
index 30075d6a..22060a1b 100644
--- a/lib/components/ModalPortal.js
+++ b/lib/components/ModalPortal.js
@@ -99,7 +99,10 @@ var ModalPortal = module.exports = React.createClass({
   },
 
   focusContent: function() {
-    this.refs.content.focus();
+    // Don't steal focus from inner elements
+    if (!this.contentHasFocus()) {
+      this.refs.content.focus();
+    }
   },
 
   closeWithTimeout: function() {
@@ -166,6 +169,10 @@ var ModalPortal = module.exports = React.createClass({
     return !this.props.isOpen && !this.state.beforeClose;
   },
 
+  contentHasFocus() {
+    return document.activeElement === this.refs.content || this.refs.content.contains(document.activeElement);
+  },
+
   buildClassName: function(which, additional) {
     var className = CLASS_NAMES[which].base;
     if (this.state.afterOpen)
diff --git a/specs/Modal.spec.js b/specs/Modal.spec.js
index 6cee0450..98b74016 100644
--- a/specs/Modal.spec.js
+++ b/specs/Modal.spec.js
@@ -86,6 +86,14 @@ describe('Modal', function () {
     });
   });
 
+  it('does not focus the modal content when a descendent is already focused', function() {
+    var input = React.DOM.input({ className: 'focus_input', ref: function(el) { el && el.focus(); } });
+    renderModal({isOpen: true}, input, function () {
+      strictEqual(document.activeElement, document.querySelector('.focus_input'));
+      unmountModal();
+    });
+  });
+
   it('handles case when child has no tabbable elements', function() {
     var component = renderModal({isOpen: true}, 'hello');
     assert.doesNotThrow(function() {