AngularJS validate included form(Ionic framework)

I'm trying to validate a form that was included using ng-include.

HTML:

function submit() {
  if($scope.form.$invalid) {
    return;
    }
  }

$scope.submit = submit;

<form name='form' ng-submit="submit()" novalidate>
  <div ng-include="'my_form_inputs.html'"></div>
</form>

when i try to submit i get an error that form.$invalid is null. i know ng-include creates another scope within the controller's scope, but is there no way to validate this form?

it seems like i would have to duplicate the entire form elements if i want to create an edit page for this form.

any idea?