diff --git a/.changeset/early-parents-raise.md b/.changeset/early-parents-raise.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..2a94babd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/early-parents-raise.md
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+"@prefresh/core": patch
+---
+
+add guard for undefined component before accessing parentDom
diff --git a/packages/core/src/index.js b/packages/core/src/index.js
index ca481c85..6c80ef4e 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/index.js
+++ b/packages/core/src/index.js
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ function replaceComponent(OldType, NewType, resetHookState) {
   pendingUpdates = pendingUpdates.filter(p => p[0] !== OldType);
 
   vnodes.forEach(vnode => {
-    if (!vnode.__c.__P) return;
+    if (!vnode.__c || !vnode.__c.__P) return;
     // update the type in-place to reference the new component
     vnode.type = NewType;