diff --git a/src/dragdrop/core.ts b/src/dragdrop/core.ts
index 30ac0b54b6..61d3e77b7e 100644
--- a/src/dragdrop/core.ts
+++ b/src/dragdrop/core.ts
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ export abstract class DragDropCore<T> implements IDragDropEngine {
       event
     );
     this.onStartDrag(event);
-    const fromElement = this.draggedElement.parent;
+    const fromElement = this.draggedElement && this.draggedElement.parent;
     this.onDragStart.fire(this, { fromElement: fromElement, draggedElement: this.draggedElement });
   }