diff --git a/content/base/public/Element.h b/content/base/public/Element.h
index 891f0f5617d..a9fa985a191 100644
--- a/content/base/public/Element.h
+++ b/content/base/public/Element.h
@@ -674,6 +674,10 @@ public:
       aError.Throw(NS_ERROR_DOM_INVALID_POINTER_ERR);
       return;
     }
+    if (!IsInDoc()) {
+      aError.Throw(NS_ERROR_DOM_INVALID_STATE_ERR);
+      return;
+    }
     if (!activeState) {
       return;
     }