diff --git a/src/core/ReactCompositeComponent.js b/src/core/ReactCompositeComponent.js
index 4bb6a4fedd..01c1ccbb5d 100644
--- a/src/core/ReactCompositeComponent.js
+++ b/src/core/ReactCompositeComponent.js
@@ -726,6 +726,11 @@ var ReactCompositeComponentMixin = {
       ReactComponent.Mixin.updateComponent.call(this, transaction, prevProps);
       var currentComponent = this._renderedComponent;
       var nextComponent = this._renderValidatedComponent();
+      invariant(
+        typeof currentComponent !== 'undefined',
+        'updateComponent(...): You are attempting to update an unrendered ' +
+        'component.'
+      );
       if (currentComponent.constructor === nextComponent.constructor) {
         currentComponent.receiveProps(nextComponent.props, transaction);
       } else {