diff --git a/lib/core/renderer.js b/lib/core/renderer.js
index 2fd7527..e69f89f 100644
--- a/lib/core/renderer.js
+++ b/lib/core/renderer.js
@@ -3195,6 +3195,14 @@ Renderer.setMethod(function hasBeenRegistered(element) {
  */
 Renderer.setMethod(function registerElementInstance(element) {
 
+	if (!element) {
+		return;
+	}
+
+	if (typeof element != 'object') {
+		throw new Error('Unable to register element: not an object');
+	}
+
 	let he_elements,
 	    variables = this.root_renderer.variables,
 	    id = element.hawkejs_id || element.dataset.hid;