diff --git a/lib/ace/document.js b/lib/ace/document.js
index 70ab0509..4a886886 100644
--- a/lib/ace/document.js
+++ b/lib/ace/document.js
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ var Document = function(text) {
      * Get a verbatim copy of the given line as it is in the document
      */
     this.getLine = function(row) {
-        return this.$lines[row] || "";
+        return this.$lines ? (this.$lines[row] || "") : "";
     };
 
     this.getLines = function(firstRow, lastRow) {