diff --git a/lib/ace/virtual_renderer.js b/lib/ace/virtual_renderer.js
index 6a6dae4b..2b65355f 100644
--- a/lib/ace/virtual_renderer.js
+++ b/lib/ace/virtual_renderer.js
@@ -483,7 +483,9 @@ var VirtualRenderer = function(container, theme) {
         }
 
         this.$gutterLineHighlight.style.display = shouldHighlight ? "" : "none";
-        this.$updateGutterLineHighlight();
+        // if cursorlayer have never been updated there's nothing on screen to update
+        if (this.$cursorLayer.$pixelPos)
+            this.$updateGutterLineHighlight();
     };
 
     this.getHighlightGutterLine = function() {