diff --git a/src/public/Terminal.ts b/src/public/Terminal.ts
index b8a70ff7..70a77fd2 100644
--- a/src/public/Terminal.ts
+++ b/src/public/Terminal.ts
@@ -56,6 +56,9 @@ export class Terminal implements ITerminalApi {
     this._core.resize(columns, rows);
   }
   public open(parent: HTMLElement): void {
+    if (!document.body.contains(parent)) {
+      throw new Error('open must be called on an element that is attached to the DOM');
+    }
     this._core.open(parent);
   }
   public attachCustomKeyEventHandler(customKeyEventHandler: (event: KeyboardEvent) => boolean): void {