diff --git a/spec/validation-element-spec.js b/spec/validation-element-spec.js
index 05b741d..a11d2c9 100644
--- a/spec/validation-element-spec.js
+++ b/spec/validation-element-spec.js
@@ -100,5 +100,16 @@ describe('Validation message element', function () {
       expect(messageElement).toHaveClass('validation-message');
       expect(messageElement).toHaveClass('validation-fixed');
     });
+
+    it('does not throw an error when the element is removed from the dom and the validation is triggered', function () {
+      function removeValidationMessageElementAndValidate() {
+        $('#messageElement').remove();
+
+        $('#firstName').val('').trigger('change');
+        $('#firstName').val('Chuck').trigger('change');
+      }
+
+      expect(removeValidationMessageElementAndValidate).not.toThrow();
+    });
   });
 });
diff --git a/src/ko-validation.js b/src/ko-validation.js
index c7d7209..58a54d2 100644
--- a/src/ko-validation.js
+++ b/src/ko-validation.js
@@ -140,11 +140,13 @@ ko.validation.registerValidator = function (name, validatorFactory) {
       };
     });
     ko.bindingHandlers.text.update(element, observable.validationMessage);
-    ko.bindingHandlers.css.update(element.parentNode, function () {
-      return {
-        'error': observable.validationState() === ko.validation.validationStates.INVALID
-      };
-    });
+    if (element.parentNode) {
+      ko.bindingHandlers.css.update(element.parentNode, function () {
+        return {
+          'error': observable.validationState() === ko.validation.validationStates.INVALID
+        };
+      });
+    }
   }
 
   function initValidationFor(inputElement, observable) {
@@ -184,8 +186,9 @@ ko.validation.registerValidator = function (name, validatorFactory) {
 
   ko.bindingHandlers.validationMessage = {
     init: function (element, valueAccessor) {
-      var observable = valueAccessor();
+      var observable, subscription;
 
+      observable = valueAccessor();
       if (!ko.validation.utils.hasValidators(observable)) {
         throw new Error("'validationMessage' should be used with an observable that has validation");
       }
@@ -194,9 +197,12 @@ ko.validation.registerValidator = function (name, validatorFactory) {
       ko.bindingHandlers.css.update(element, function () {
         return { 'validation-message': true };
       });
-      observable.validationState.subscribe(function () {
+      subscription = observable.validationState.subscribe(function () {
         updateValidationMessage(element, observable);
       });
+      ko.utils.domNodeDisposal.addDisposeCallback(element, function () {
+        subscription.dispose();
+      });
     }
   };