diff --git a/src/js/media/html5.js b/src/js/media/html5.js
index d9461c25d3..5dcbb3ab99 100644
--- a/src/js/media/html5.js
+++ b/src/js/media/html5.js
@@ -110,6 +110,10 @@ vjs.Html5.prototype.setupTriggers = function(){
 // Triggers removed using this.off when disposed
 
 vjs.Html5.prototype.eventHandler = function(e){
+  // Prevent default action from being called on the target (the video element),
+  // as all events handled here originated from it. Fixes #620.
+  e.preventDefault();
+
   this.trigger(e);
 
   // No need for media events to bubble up.
diff --git a/test/unit/media.html5.js b/test/unit/media.html5.js
index 07c6e6a31b..e0451670c7 100644
--- a/test/unit/media.html5.js
+++ b/test/unit/media.html5.js
@@ -32,4 +32,23 @@ test('should re-link the player if the tech is moved', function(){
   tech.createEl();
 
   strictEqual(player, tech.el()['player']);
+});
+
+test('should not call default action on media event', function() {
+  expect(2);
+  var player = {
+    id: function() { return 'id'; },
+    el: function() { return document.createElement('div'); },
+    options_: {},
+    trigger: function(event) {
+      ok(event.type === 'play', 'non-play media event fired');
+      ok(event.isDefaultPrevented(), 'default action not prevented');
+    },
+    ready: function() {}
+  };
+  var tech = new vjs.Html5(player, { el: vjs.TEST_VID });
+  // Mediafaker doesn't support play/pause, so dispatch an event manually.
+  var event = document.createEvent('CustomEvent');
+  event.initCustomEvent('play', false /*bubbles*/, true /*cancelable*/, null);
+  tech.el_.dispatchEvent(event);
 });
\ No newline at end of file