diff --git a/lib/ace/layer/font_metrics.js b/lib/ace/layer/font_metrics.js
index a1423732..06bd4b0d 100644
--- a/lib/ace/layer/font_metrics.js
+++ b/lib/ace/layer/font_metrics.js
@@ -128,7 +128,12 @@ var FontMetrics = exports.FontMetrics = function(parentEl, interval) {
 
     this.$measureSizes = function() {
         if (CHAR_COUNT === 1) {
-            var rect = this.$measureNode.getBoundingClientRect();
+            var rect = null;
+            try { 
+               rect = this.$measureNode.getBoundingClientRect();
+            } catch(e) {
+               rect = {width: 0, height:0 };
+            };
             var size = {
                 height: rect.height,
                 width: rect.width