diff --git a/Sortable.js b/Sortable.js
index 3176f3aab..bcc6b131a 100644
--- a/Sortable.js
+++ b/Sortable.js
@@ -171,13 +171,15 @@
 
 
 		_dragStarted: function () {
-			// Apply effect
-			_toggleClass(dragEl, this.options.ghostClass, true);
+			if (rootEl && dragEl) {
+				// Apply effect
+				_toggleClass(dragEl, this.options.ghostClass, true);
 
-			Sortable.active = this;
+				Sortable.active = this;
 
-			// Drag start event
-			_dispatchEvent(rootEl, 'start', dragEl, rootEl, oldIndex);
+				// Drag start event
+				_dispatchEvent(rootEl, 'start', dragEl, rootEl, oldIndex);
+			}
 		},