diff --git a/lib/runner.js b/lib/runner.js
index a8f8ab882b..d13e37677b 100644
--- a/lib/runner.js
+++ b/lib/runner.js
@@ -389,7 +389,9 @@ Runner.prototype.hook = function(name, fn) {
       if (err) {
         if (err instanceof Pending) {
           if (name === HOOK_TYPE_BEFORE_EACH || name === HOOK_TYPE_AFTER_EACH) {
-            self.test.pending = true;
+            if (self.test) {
+              self.test.pending = true;
+            }
           } else {
             suite.tests.forEach(function(test) {
               test.pending = true;