diff --git a/public/app/features/dashlinks/module.ts b/public/app/features/dashlinks/module.ts
index 148d32f4399..f9482049c40 100644
--- a/public/app/features/dashlinks/module.ts
+++ b/public/app/features/dashlinks/module.ts
@@ -48,9 +48,11 @@ function dashLink($compile, $sanitize, linkSrv) {
       function update() {
         var linkInfo = linkSrv.getAnchorInfo(link);
         span.text(linkInfo.title);
-        anchor.attr('href', linkInfo.href);
-        sanitizeAnchor();
-
+        if (!link.asDropdown) {
+          anchor.attr('href', linkInfo.href);
+          sanitizeAnchor();
+        }
+        elem.find('a').attr('data-placement', 'bottom');
         // tooltip
         elem.find('a').tooltip({
           title: $sanitize(scope.link.tooltip),