diff --git a/lib/reporters/tap.js b/lib/reporters/tap.js
index 258c927fc..278d7e62b 100644
--- a/lib/reporters/tap.js
+++ b/lib/reporters/tap.js
@@ -24,7 +24,9 @@ function dumpError({
 		};
 	}
 
-	originalError.name = name; // Restore the original name.
+	if (originalError) {
+		originalError.name = name; // Restore the original name.
+	}
 
 	if (type === 'ava') {
 		if (assertion) {