diff --git a/lib/ace/layer/text.js b/lib/ace/layer/text.js
index 953d4411..84d2d2ec 100644
--- a/lib/ace/layer/text.js
+++ b/lib/ace/layer/text.js
@@ -113,11 +113,15 @@ var Text = function(parentEl) {
             // Note: characterWidth can be a float!
             measureNode.innerHTML = lang.stringRepeat("Xy", n);
 
-            var container = this.element.parentNode;
-            while (!dom.hasCssClass(container, "ace_editor"))
-                container = container.parentNode;
+            if (document.body) {
+                document.body.appendChild(measureNode);
+            } else {
+                var container = this.element.parentNode;
+                while (!dom.hasCssClass(container, "ace_editor"))
+                    container = container.parentNode;
+                container.appendChild(measureNode);
+            }
 
-            container.appendChild(measureNode);
         }
 
         var style = this.$measureNode.style;