diff --git a/src/collection-view.js b/src/collection-view.js
index e542f973bc..85acf47c37 100644
--- a/src/collection-view.js
+++ b/src/collection-view.js
@@ -146,8 +146,10 @@ Marionette.CollectionView = Marionette.View.extend({
       this.render();
     } else {
       // get the DOM nodes in the same order as the models
-      var els = _.map(models, function(model) {
-        return children.findByModel(model).el;
+      var els = _.map(models, function(model, index) {
+        var childView = children.findByModel(model);
+        childView._index = index;
+        return childView.el;
       });
 
       // since append moves elements that are already in the DOM,