diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index eaf3ad8c..b10b6b54 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "name": "xterm",
   "description": "Full xterm terminal, in your browser",
-  "version": "3.7.0",
+  "version": "3.8.0",
   "main": "lib/public/Terminal.js",
   "types": "typings/xterm.d.ts",
   "repository": "https://github.com/xtermjs/xterm.js",
diff --git a/src/renderer/BaseRenderLayer.ts b/src/renderer/BaseRenderLayer.ts
index 1590d6e2..84e290e7 100644
--- a/src/renderer/BaseRenderLayer.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/BaseRenderLayer.ts
@@ -51,7 +51,9 @@ export abstract class BaseRenderLayer implements IRenderLayer {
 
   public dispose(): void {
     this._container.removeChild(this._canvas);
-    this._charAtlas.dispose();
+    if (this._charAtlas) {
+      this._charAtlas.dispose();
+    }
   }
 
   private _initCanvas(): void {