diff --git a/js/utils/gestures.js b/js/utils/gestures.js
index 17caa028c83..d7588147e9e 100644
--- a/js/utils/gestures.js
+++ b/js/utils/gestures.js
@@ -1170,7 +1170,9 @@
         this.preventedFirstMove = false;
 
       } else if (!this.preventedFirstMove && ev.srcEvent.type == 'touchmove') {
-        if (inst.options.prevent_default_directions.indexOf(ev.direction) != -1) {
+        // Prevent gestures that are not intended for this event handler from firing subsequent times
+        if (inst.options.prevent_default_directions.length === 0
+            || inst.options.prevent_default_directions.indexOf(ev.direction) != -1) {
           ev.srcEvent.preventDefault();
         }
         this.preventedFirstMove = true;