diff --git a/src/compiler/binder.ts b/src/compiler/binder.ts
index 5fdfc7f02be..d6ede3049c2 100644
--- a/src/compiler/binder.ts
+++ b/src/compiler/binder.ts
@@ -53,7 +53,8 @@ namespace ts {
             return state;
         }
         else if (node.kind === SyntaxKind.ModuleDeclaration) {
-            return getModuleInstanceState((<ModuleDeclaration>node).body);
+            const body = (<ModuleDeclaration>node).body;
+            return body ? getModuleInstanceState(body) : ModuleInstanceState.NonInstantiated;
         }
         else {
             return ModuleInstanceState.Instantiated;
@@ -1256,7 +1257,7 @@ namespace ts {
 
         function hasExportDeclarations(node: ModuleDeclaration | SourceFile): boolean {
             const body = node.kind === SyntaxKind.SourceFile ? node : (<ModuleDeclaration>node).body;
-            if (body.kind === SyntaxKind.SourceFile || body.kind === SyntaxKind.ModuleBlock) {
+            if (body && (body.kind === SyntaxKind.SourceFile || body.kind === SyntaxKind.ModuleBlock)) {
                 for (const stat of (<Block>body).statements) {
                     if (stat.kind === SyntaxKind.ExportDeclaration || stat.kind === SyntaxKind.ExportAssignment) {
                         return true;
diff --git a/src/compiler/checker.ts b/src/compiler/checker.ts
index 06ef2463402..50f1ce0d208 100644
--- a/src/compiler/checker.ts
+++ b/src/compiler/checker.ts
@@ -380,6 +380,7 @@ namespace ts {
         }
 
         function mergeSymbol(target: Symbol, source: Symbol) {
+            //TODO: how to merge w/ shorthand ambient module?
             if (!(target.flags & getExcludedSymbolFlags(source.flags))) {
                 if (source.flags & SymbolFlags.ValueModule && target.flags & SymbolFlags.ValueModule && target.constEnumOnlyModule && !source.constEnumOnlyModule) {
                     // reset flag when merging instantiated module into value module that has only const enums
@@ -986,7 +987,9 @@ namespace ts {
             const moduleSymbol = resolveExternalModuleName(node, (<ImportDeclaration>node.parent).moduleSpecifier);
 
             if (moduleSymbol) {
-                const exportDefaultSymbol = moduleSymbol.exports["export="] ?
+                const exportDefaultSymbol = isShorthandAmbientModule(moduleSymbol.valueDeclaration) ?
+                    moduleSymbol :
+                    moduleSymbol.exports["export="] ?
                     getPropertyOfType(getTypeOfSymbol(moduleSymbol.exports["export="]), "default") :
                     resolveSymbol(moduleSymbol.exports["default"]);
 
@@ -1060,6 +1063,10 @@ namespace ts {
             if (targetSymbol) {
                 const name = specifier.propertyName || specifier.name;
                 if (name.text) {
+                    if (isShorthandAmbientModule(moduleSymbol.valueDeclaration)) {
+                        return moduleSymbol;
+                    }
+
                     let symbolFromVariable: Symbol;
                     // First check if module was specified with "export=". If so, get the member from the resolved type
                     if (moduleSymbol && moduleSymbol.exports && moduleSymbol.exports["export="]) {
@@ -3220,9 +3227,14 @@ namespace ts {
         function getTypeOfFuncClassEnumModule(symbol: Symbol): Type {
             const links = getSymbolLinks(symbol);
             if (!links.type) {
-                const type = createObjectType(TypeFlags.Anonymous, symbol);
-                links.type = strictNullChecks && symbol.flags & SymbolFlags.Optional ?
-                    addNullableKind(type, TypeFlags.Undefined) : type;
+                if (symbol.valueDeclaration.kind === SyntaxKind.ModuleDeclaration && isShorthandAmbientModule(<ModuleDeclaration>symbol.valueDeclaration)) {
+                    links.type = anyType;
+                }
+                else {
+                    const type = createObjectType(TypeFlags.Anonymous, symbol);
+                    links.type = strictNullChecks && symbol.flags & SymbolFlags.Optional ?
+                        addNullableKind(type, TypeFlags.Undefined) : type;
+                }
             }
             return links.type;
         }
@@ -16010,7 +16022,7 @@ namespace ts {
                         // - augmentation for a global scope is always applied
                         // - augmentation for some external module is applied if symbol for augmentation is merged (it was combined with target module).
                         const checkBody = isGlobalAugmentation || (getSymbolOfNode(node).flags & SymbolFlags.Merged);
-                        if (checkBody) {
+                        if (checkBody && node.body) {
                             // body of ambient external module is always a module block
                             for (const statement of (<ModuleBlock>node.body).statements) {
                                 checkModuleAugmentationElement(statement, isGlobalAugmentation);
@@ -16037,7 +16049,9 @@ namespace ts {
                     }
                 }
             }
-            checkSourceElement(node.body);
+            if (node.body) {
+                checkSourceElement(node.body);
+            }
         }
 
         function checkModuleAugmentationElement(node: Node, isGlobalAugmentation: boolean): void {
diff --git a/src/compiler/declarationEmitter.ts b/src/compiler/declarationEmitter.ts
index 397b135bf23..f44298a4206 100644
--- a/src/compiler/declarationEmitter.ts
+++ b/src/compiler/declarationEmitter.ts
@@ -853,21 +853,26 @@ namespace ts {
                     writeTextOfNode(currentText, node.name);
                 }
             }
-            while (node.body.kind !== SyntaxKind.ModuleBlock) {
+            while (node.body && node.body.kind !== SyntaxKind.ModuleBlock) {
                 node = <ModuleDeclaration>node.body;
                 write(".");
                 writeTextOfNode(currentText, node.name);
             }
             const prevEnclosingDeclaration = enclosingDeclaration;
-            enclosingDeclaration = node;
-            write(" {");
-            writeLine();
-            increaseIndent();
-            emitLines((<ModuleBlock>node.body).statements);
-            decreaseIndent();
-            write("}");
-            writeLine();
-            enclosingDeclaration = prevEnclosingDeclaration;
+            if (node.body) {
+                enclosingDeclaration = node;
+                write(" {");
+                writeLine();
+                increaseIndent();
+                emitLines((<ModuleBlock>node.body).statements);
+                decreaseIndent();
+                write("}");
+                writeLine();
+                enclosingDeclaration = prevEnclosingDeclaration;
+            }
+            else {
+                write(";");
+            }
         }
 
         function writeTypeAliasDeclaration(node: TypeAliasDeclaration) {
diff --git a/src/compiler/emitter.ts b/src/compiler/emitter.ts
index f225b4cacf8..88895531d16 100644
--- a/src/compiler/emitter.ts
+++ b/src/compiler/emitter.ts
@@ -6246,7 +6246,7 @@ const _super = (function (geti, seti) {
             }
 
             function getInnerMostModuleDeclarationFromDottedModule(moduleDeclaration: ModuleDeclaration): ModuleDeclaration {
-                if (moduleDeclaration.body.kind === SyntaxKind.ModuleDeclaration) {
+                if (moduleDeclaration.body && moduleDeclaration.body.kind === SyntaxKind.ModuleDeclaration) {
                     const recursiveInnerModule = getInnerMostModuleDeclarationFromDottedModule(<ModuleDeclaration>moduleDeclaration.body);
                     return recursiveInnerModule || <ModuleDeclaration>moduleDeclaration.body;
                 }
@@ -6295,6 +6295,7 @@ const _super = (function (geti, seti) {
                 write(getGeneratedNameForNode(node));
                 emitEnd(node.name);
                 write(") ");
+                // node.body must exist, as this is a non-ambient module
                 if (node.body.kind === SyntaxKind.ModuleBlock) {
                     const saveConvertedLoopState = convertedLoopState;
                     const saveTempFlags = tempFlags;
diff --git a/src/compiler/parser.ts b/src/compiler/parser.ts
index 6f042627c6b..8af258ebfc8 100644
--- a/src/compiler/parser.ts
+++ b/src/compiler/parser.ts
@@ -5330,7 +5330,14 @@ namespace ts {
             else {
                 node.name = parseLiteralNode(/*internName*/ true);
             }
-            node.body = parseModuleBlock();
+
+            if (token === SyntaxKind.OpenBraceToken) {
+                node.body = parseModuleBlock();
+            }
+            else {
+                parseSemicolon();
+            }
+
             return finishNode(node);
         }
 
diff --git a/src/compiler/program.ts b/src/compiler/program.ts
index bab554927e7..d94e25c786e 100644
--- a/src/compiler/program.ts
+++ b/src/compiler/program.ts
@@ -1712,9 +1712,12 @@ namespace ts {
                                 // The StringLiteral must specify a top - level external module name.
                                 // Relative external module names are not permitted
 
-                                // NOTE: body of ambient module is always a module block
-                                for (const statement of (<ModuleBlock>(<ModuleDeclaration>node).body).statements) {
-                                    collectModuleReferences(statement, /*inAmbientModule*/ true);
+                                // NOTE: body of ambient module is always a module block, if it exists
+                                const body = <ModuleBlock>(<ModuleDeclaration>node).body;
+                                if (body) {
+                                    for (const statement of body.statements) {
+                                        collectModuleReferences(statement, /*inAmbientModule*/ true);
+                                    }
                                 }
                             }
                         }
diff --git a/src/compiler/types.ts b/src/compiler/types.ts
index c7e14a10031..5f56c017c7e 100644
--- a/src/compiler/types.ts
+++ b/src/compiler/types.ts
@@ -1301,7 +1301,7 @@ namespace ts {
     // @kind(SyntaxKind.ModuleDeclaration)
     export interface ModuleDeclaration extends DeclarationStatement {
         name: Identifier | LiteralExpression;
-        body: ModuleBlock | ModuleDeclaration;
+        body?: ModuleBlock | ModuleDeclaration;
     }
 
     // @kind(SyntaxKind.ModuleBlock)
diff --git a/src/compiler/utilities.ts b/src/compiler/utilities.ts
index 74ea3459b23..56de65b5dc0 100644
--- a/src/compiler/utilities.ts
+++ b/src/compiler/utilities.ts
@@ -372,6 +372,11 @@ namespace ts {
             ((<ModuleDeclaration>node).name.kind === SyntaxKind.StringLiteral || isGlobalScopeAugmentation(<ModuleDeclaration>node));
     }
 
+    export function isShorthandAmbientModule(node: Node): boolean {
+        // The only kind of module that can be missing a body is a shorthand ambient module.
+        return node.kind === SyntaxKind.ModuleDeclaration && (!(<ModuleDeclaration>node).body);
+    }
+
     export function isBlockScopedContainerTopLevel(node: Node): boolean {
         return node.kind === SyntaxKind.SourceFile ||
             node.kind === SyntaxKind.ModuleDeclaration ||
diff --git a/src/services/navigationBar.ts b/src/services/navigationBar.ts
index 92cf64eac94..59dc4a38283 100644
--- a/src/services/navigationBar.ts
+++ b/src/services/navigationBar.ts
@@ -188,7 +188,10 @@ namespace ts.NavigationBar {
                     case SyntaxKind.ModuleDeclaration:
                         let moduleDeclaration = <ModuleDeclaration>node;
                         topLevelNodes.push(node);
-                        addTopLevelNodes((<Block>getInnermostModule(moduleDeclaration).body).statements, topLevelNodes);
+                        const inner = getInnermostModule(moduleDeclaration);
+                        if (inner.body) {
+                            addTopLevelNodes((<Block>inner.body).statements, topLevelNodes);
+                        }
                         break;
 
                     case SyntaxKind.FunctionDeclaration:
@@ -453,7 +456,8 @@ namespace ts.NavigationBar {
             function createModuleItem(node: ModuleDeclaration): NavigationBarItem {
                 const moduleName = getModuleName(node);
 
-                const childItems = getItemsWorker(getChildNodes((<Block>getInnermostModule(node).body).statements), createChildItem);
+                const body = <Block>getInnermostModule(node).body;
+                const childItems = body ? getItemsWorker(getChildNodes(body.statements), createChildItem) : [];
 
                 return getNavigationBarItem(moduleName,
                     ts.ScriptElementKind.moduleElement,
@@ -611,7 +615,7 @@ namespace ts.NavigationBar {
         }
 
         function getInnermostModule(node: ModuleDeclaration): ModuleDeclaration {
-            while (node.body.kind === SyntaxKind.ModuleDeclaration) {
+            while (node.body && node.body.kind === SyntaxKind.ModuleDeclaration) {
                 node = <ModuleDeclaration>node.body;
             }
 
diff --git a/src/services/services.ts b/src/services/services.ts
index 90740b257c6..6bc40b80b31 100644
--- a/src/services/services.ts
+++ b/src/services/services.ts
@@ -415,7 +415,7 @@ namespace ts {
                     }
 
                     // If this is left side of dotted module declaration, there is no doc comments associated with this node
-                    if (declaration.kind === SyntaxKind.ModuleDeclaration && (<ModuleDeclaration>declaration).body.kind === SyntaxKind.ModuleDeclaration) {
+                    if (declaration.kind === SyntaxKind.ModuleDeclaration && (<ModuleDeclaration>declaration).body && (<ModuleDeclaration>declaration).body.kind === SyntaxKind.ModuleDeclaration) {
                         return;
                     }
 
diff --git a/tests/baselines/reference/ambientShorthand.js b/tests/baselines/reference/ambientShorthand.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..76a3b482994
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/baselines/reference/ambientShorthand.js
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+//// [tests/cases/conformance/ambient/ambientShorthand.ts] ////
+
+//// [declarations.d.ts]
+declare module "jquery"
+// Semicolon is optional
+declare module "fs";
+
+//// [user.ts]
+///<reference path="declarations.d.ts"/>
+import foo, {bar} from "jquery";
+import * as baz from "fs";
+foo(bar, baz);
+
+
+//// [user.js]
+"use strict";
+///<reference path="declarations.d.ts"/>
+var jquery_1 = require("jquery");
+var baz = require("fs");
+jquery_1["default"](jquery_1.bar, baz);
+
+
+//// [user.d.ts]
+/// <reference path="declarations.d.ts" />
diff --git a/tests/baselines/reference/ambientShorthand.symbols b/tests/baselines/reference/ambientShorthand.symbols
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..91cefe8d4c4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/baselines/reference/ambientShorthand.symbols
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+=== tests/cases/conformance/ambient/user.ts ===
+///<reference path="declarations.d.ts"/>
+import foo, {bar} from "jquery";
+>foo : Symbol(foo, Decl(user.ts, 1, 6))
+>bar : Symbol(bar, Decl(user.ts, 1, 13))
+
+import * as baz from "fs";
+>baz : Symbol(baz, Decl(user.ts, 2, 6))
+
+foo(bar, baz);
+>foo : Symbol(foo, Decl(user.ts, 1, 6))
+>bar : Symbol(bar, Decl(user.ts, 1, 13))
+>baz : Symbol(baz, Decl(user.ts, 2, 6))
+
+=== tests/cases/conformance/ambient/declarations.d.ts ===
+declare module "jquery"
+No type information for this code.// Semicolon is optional
+No type information for this code.declare module "fs";
+No type information for this code.
+No type information for this code.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/baselines/reference/ambientShorthand.types b/tests/baselines/reference/ambientShorthand.types
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..12b18953e88
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/baselines/reference/ambientShorthand.types
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+=== tests/cases/conformance/ambient/user.ts ===
+///<reference path="declarations.d.ts"/>
+import foo, {bar} from "jquery";
+>foo : any
+>bar : any
+
+import * as baz from "fs";
+>baz : any
+
+foo(bar, baz);
+>foo(bar, baz) : any
+>foo : any
+>bar : any
+>baz : any
+
+=== tests/cases/conformance/ambient/declarations.d.ts ===
+declare module "jquery"
+No type information for this code.// Semicolon is optional
+No type information for this code.declare module "fs";
+No type information for this code.
+No type information for this code.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/baselines/reference/ambientShorthand_declarationEmit.js b/tests/baselines/reference/ambientShorthand_declarationEmit.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..d758b57efd2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/baselines/reference/ambientShorthand_declarationEmit.js
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+//// [ambientShorthand_declarationEmit.ts]
+declare module "foo";
+
+
+//// [ambientShorthand_declarationEmit.js]
+
+
+//// [ambientShorthand_declarationEmit.d.ts]
+declare module "foo";
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/baselines/reference/ambientShorthand_declarationEmit.symbols b/tests/baselines/reference/ambientShorthand_declarationEmit.symbols
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..f1b3284b0f2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/baselines/reference/ambientShorthand_declarationEmit.symbols
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+=== tests/cases/conformance/ambient/ambientShorthand_declarationEmit.ts ===
+declare module "foo";
+No type information for this code.
+No type information for this code.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/baselines/reference/ambientShorthand_declarationEmit.types b/tests/baselines/reference/ambientShorthand_declarationEmit.types
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..f1b3284b0f2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/baselines/reference/ambientShorthand_declarationEmit.types
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+=== tests/cases/conformance/ambient/ambientShorthand_declarationEmit.ts ===
+declare module "foo";
+No type information for this code.
+No type information for this code.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/cases/conformance/ambient/ambientShorthand.ts b/tests/cases/conformance/ambient/ambientShorthand.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..3070abff595
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/cases/conformance/ambient/ambientShorthand.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+// @Filename: declarations.d.ts
+declare module "jquery"
+// Semicolon is optional
+declare module "fs";
+
+// @Filename: user.ts
+///<reference path="declarations.d.ts"/>
+import foo, {bar} from "jquery";
+import * as baz from "fs";
+foo(bar, baz);
diff --git a/tests/cases/conformance/ambient/ambientShorthand_declarationEmit.ts b/tests/cases/conformance/ambient/ambientShorthand_declarationEmit.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..13053868e5b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/cases/conformance/ambient/ambientShorthand_declarationEmit.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+// @declaration: true
+declare module "foo";