diff --git a/modules/@angular/compiler/src/i18n/digest.ts b/modules/@angular/compiler/src/i18n/digest.ts
index 180f1504db..d00bf80354 100644
--- a/modules/@angular/compiler/src/i18n/digest.ts
+++ b/modules/@angular/compiler/src/i18n/digest.ts
@@ -13,10 +13,6 @@ export function digest(message: i18n.Message): string {
 }
 
 export function decimalDigest(message: i18n.Message): string {
-  if (message.id) {
-    return message.id;
-  }
-
   const visitor = new _SerializerIgnoreIcuExpVisitor();
   const parts = message.nodes.map(a => a.visit(visitor, null));
   return computeMsgId(parts.join(''), message.meaning);