diff --git a/src/lib/sidenav/drawer.ts b/src/lib/sidenav/drawer.ts
index 4a00b86a035f..a045a922afa2 100644
--- a/src/lib/sidenav/drawer.ts
+++ b/src/lib/sidenav/drawer.ts
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ export class MdDrawer implements AfterContentInit, OnDestroy {
   /** Mode of the drawer; one of 'over', 'push' or 'side'. */
   @Input() mode: 'over' | 'push' | 'side' = 'over';
 
-  /** Whether the drawer can be closed with the escape key or not. */
+  /** Whether the drawer can be closed with the escape key or by clicking on the backdrop. */
   @Input()
   get disableClose(): boolean { return this._disableClose; }
   set disableClose(value: boolean) { this._disableClose = coerceBooleanProperty(value); }
diff --git a/src/lib/sidenav/sidenav.md b/src/lib/sidenav/sidenav.md
index e58f54c3faee..ab3a2527c32d 100644
--- a/src/lib/sidenav/sidenav.md
+++ b/src/lib/sidenav/sidenav.md
@@ -70,3 +70,15 @@ html, body, material-app, md-sidenav-container, .my-content {
 ### FABs inside sidenav
 For a sidenav with a FAB (Floating Action Button) or other floating element, the recommended approach is to place the FAB
 outside of the scrollable region and absolutely position it.
+
+
+### Disabling closing of sidenav
+By default, sidenav can be closed either by clicking on the backdrop or by pressing <kbd>ESCAPE</kbd>.
+The `disableClose` attribute can be set on `md-sidenav` to disable automatic closing when the backdrop
+is clicked or <kbd>ESCAPE</kbd> is pressed. To add custom logic on backdrop click, add a `(backdropClick)` listener to
+`md-sidenav-container`. For custom <kbd>ESCAPE</kbd> logic, a standard `(keydown)` listener will suffice.
+```html
+<md-sidenav-container (backdropClick)="customBackdropClickHandler()">
+  <md-sidenav disableClose (keydown)="customKeydownHandler($event)"></md-sidenav>
+</md-sidenav-container>
+```
\ No newline at end of file