diff --git a/packages/jupyterlab-lsp/src/features/highlights.ts b/packages/jupyterlab-lsp/src/features/highlights.ts
index 06bcc5b8a..2503ce9c6 100644
--- a/packages/jupyterlab-lsp/src/features/highlights.ts
+++ b/packages/jupyterlab-lsp/src/features/highlights.ts
@@ -145,6 +145,11 @@ export class HighlightsCM extends CodeMirrorIntegration {
       return;
     }
 
+    if (root_position == null) {
+      console.warn('no root position available');
+      return;
+    }
+
     const token = this.virtual_editor.get_token_at(root_position);
 
     // if token has not changed, no need to update highlight, unless it is an empty token