diff --git a/spec/core/SpyRegistrySpec.js b/spec/core/SpyRegistrySpec.js
index 52aef6a44..faa79071e 100644
--- a/spec/core/SpyRegistrySpec.js
+++ b/spec/core/SpyRegistrySpec.js
@@ -38,6 +38,9 @@ describe("SpyRegistry", function() {
     });
 
     it("checks if it can be spied upon", function() {
+      // IE 8 doesn't support `definePropery` on non-DOM nodes
+      if (jasmine.getEnv().ieVersion < 9) { return; }
+
       var scope = {};
 
       function myFunc() {
diff --git a/src/core/SpyRegistry.js b/src/core/SpyRegistry.js
index 4c9a90dae..65769e954 100644
--- a/src/core/SpyRegistry.js
+++ b/src/core/SpyRegistry.js
@@ -22,7 +22,13 @@ getJasmineRequireObj().SpyRegistry = function(j$) {
         throw new Error(methodName + ' has already been spied upon');
       }
 
-      var descriptor = Object.getOwnPropertyDescriptor(obj, methodName);
+      var descriptor = undefined;
+      try {
+        descriptor = Object.getOwnPropertyDescriptor(obj, methodName);
+      } catch(e) {
+        // IE 8 doesn't support `definePropery` on non-DOM nodes
+      }
+
       if (descriptor && !(descriptor.writable || descriptor.set)) {
         throw new Error(methodName + ' is not declared writable or has no setter');
       }