diff --git a/lib/handlebars/translation.js b/lib/handlebars/translation.js
index bc40f7d6..f75b89e4 100644
--- a/lib/handlebars/translation.js
+++ b/lib/handlebars/translation.js
@@ -75,8 +75,8 @@ TranslationHelper.prototype.helper = function (msgId) {
         message;
 
     message = Translation.get().translate(renderer.rain.component,
-                                          renderer.rain.environment.language,
-                                          id || msgId, msgId, undefined, undefined, args);
+        (renderer.rain.environment && renderer.rain.environment.language) || 'en_US',
+        id || msgId, msgId, undefined, undefined, args);
 
     // If the "var" parameter is specified, save the message in a variable in context.
     if (options.hash['var']) {