diff --git a/lib/bn.js b/lib/bn.js
index 896efa9d..982f6383 100644
--- a/lib/bn.js
+++ b/lib/bn.js
@@ -370,7 +370,11 @@
   // Check Symbol.for because not everywhere where Symbol defined
   // See https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Symbol#Browser_compatibility
   if (typeof Symbol !== 'undefined' && typeof Symbol.for === 'function') {
-    BN.prototype[Symbol.for('nodejs.util.inspect.custom')] = inspect;
+    try {
+      BN.prototype[Symbol.for('nodejs.util.inspect.custom')] = inspect;
+    } catch (e) {
+      BN.prototype.inspect = inspect;
+    }
   } else {
     BN.prototype.inspect = inspect;
   }