diff --git a/js/alert.js b/js/alert.js
index 807f23d75..79b15552b 100644
--- a/js/alert.js
+++ b/js/alert.js
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
       selector = selector && selector.replace(/.*(?=#[^\s]*$)/, '') // strip for ie7
     }
 
-    var $parent = $(selector)
+    var $parent = $(selector === '#' ? [] : selector)
 
     if (e) e.preventDefault()