diff --git a/src/ui/map.js b/src/ui/map.js
index 9571fb28b99..af90c38d415 100755
--- a/src/ui/map.js
+++ b/src/ui/map.js
@@ -339,6 +339,9 @@ class Map extends Camera {
 
         this._setupContainer();
         this._setupPainter();
+        if (this.painter === undefined) {
+            throw new Error(`Failed to initialize WebGL.`);
+        }
 
         this.on('move', this._update.bind(this, false));
         this.on('zoom', this._update.bind(this, true));