diff --git a/src/render.js b/src/render.js
index 05cef156d..26a5d5384 100644
--- a/src/render.js
+++ b/src/render.js
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ export function init () {
   if (typeof $docsify.markdown === 'function') {
     markdown = $docsify.markdown.call(this, markdown, renderer)
   } else {
-    if ($docsify.markdown.renderer) {
+    if ($docsify.markdown && $docsify.markdown.renderer) {
       $docsify.markdown.renderer = merge(renderer, $docsify.markdown.renderer)
     }
     markdown.setOptions(merge({ renderer }, $docsify.markdown))