diff --git a/cps/static/js/table.js b/cps/static/js/table.js
index 09e8f472..664570bc 100644
--- a/cps/static/js/table.js
+++ b/cps/static/js/table.js
@@ -74,7 +74,12 @@ $(function() {
         });
     });
 
-    $("#merge_books").click(function() {
+    $("#merge_books").click(function(event) {
+        if ($(this).hasClass("disabled")) {
+            event.stopPropagation()
+        } else {
+            $('#mergeModal').modal("show");
+        }
         $.ajax({
             method:"post",
             contentType: "application/json; charset=utf-8",
diff --git a/cps/templates/book_table.html b/cps/templates/book_table.html
index e340dc0a..8fa1b69c 100644
--- a/cps/templates/book_table.html
+++ b/cps/templates/book_table.html
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
 <h2 class="{{page}}">{{_(title)}}</h2>
       <div class="col-xs-12 col-sm-6">
         <div class="row form-group">
-          <div class="btn btn-default disabled" id="merge_books" data-toggle="modal" data-target="#mergeModal" aria-disabled="true">{{_('Merge selected books')}}</div>
+          <div class="btn btn-default disabled" id="merge_books" aria-disabled="true">{{_('Merge selected books')}}</div>
           <div class="btn btn-default disabled" id="delete_selection" aria-disabled="true">{{_('Remove Selections')}}</div>
         </div>
         <div class="row form-group">