diff --git a/IPython/frontend/html/notebook/static/js/notebook.js b/IPython/frontend/html/notebook/static/js/notebook.js
index a6510767441..52c50cd43d8 100644
--- a/IPython/frontend/html/notebook/static/js/notebook.js
+++ b/IPython/frontend/html/notebook/static/js/notebook.js
@@ -137,13 +137,13 @@ var IPython = (function (IPython) {
             }
             if (event.which === key.UPARROW && !event.shiftKey) {
                 var cell = that.get_selected_cell();
-                if (cell.at_top()) {
+                if (cell && cell.at_top()) {
                     event.preventDefault();
                     that.select_prev();
                 };
             } else if (event.which === key.DOWNARROW && !event.shiftKey) {
                 var cell = that.get_selected_cell();
-                if (cell.at_bottom()) {
+                if (cell && cell.at_bottom()) {
                     event.preventDefault();
                     that.select_next();
                 };
@@ -1381,7 +1381,7 @@ var IPython = (function (IPython) {
     /**
      * Run the selected cell.
      * 
-     * This executes code cells, and skips all others.
+     * Execute or render cell outputs.
      * 
      * @method execute_selected_cell
      * @param {Object} options Customize post-execution behavior