diff --git a/src/api/selection.js b/src/api/selection.js
index 54655ba1..6a32c551 100644
--- a/src/api/selection.js
+++ b/src/api/selection.js
@@ -15,6 +15,9 @@ function (elementHelper) {
     }
 
     Selection.prototype.getContaining = function (nodeFilter) {
+      var range = this.range;
+      if (!range) { return; }
+
       var node = new scribe.api.Node(this.range.commonAncestorContainer);
       var isTopContainerElement = node.node && node.node.attributes
          && node.node.attributes.getNamedItem('contenteditable');
@@ -23,6 +26,9 @@ function (elementHelper) {
     };
 
     Selection.prototype.placeMarkers = function () {
+      var range = this.range;
+      if(!range) { return; }
+
       var startMarker = document.createElement('em');
       startMarker.classList.add('scribe-marker');
       var endMarker = document.createElement('em');