diff --git a/src/ui-layout.js b/src/ui-layout.js
index 223b591..9bc8243 100644
--- a/src/ui-layout.js
+++ b/src/ui-layout.js
@@ -9,6 +9,10 @@ angular.module('ui.layout', [])
 
     var ctrl = this;
     var opts = angular.extend({}, $scope.$eval($attrs.uiLayout), $scope.$eval($attrs.options));
+    if (opts.ctrl) {
+      $scope[opts.ctrl]=ctrl;
+    }
+
     var numOfSplitbars = 0;
     //var cache = {};
     var animationFrameRequested;
@@ -387,7 +391,7 @@ angular.module('ui.layout', [])
           }
         } else {
           // fix for potentially collapsed containers
-          ctrl.containers[index - 1].collapsed = false;
+          if (index) ctrl.containers[index - 1].collapsed = false;
           numOfSplitbars--;
         }