diff --git a/dom/events/ContentEventHandler.cpp b/dom/events/ContentEventHandler.cpp
index 38c6ad0207..11fb53029b 100644
--- a/dom/events/ContentEventHandler.cpp
+++ b/dom/events/ContentEventHandler.cpp
@@ -116,10 +116,9 @@ ContentEventHandler::InitBasic()
 
   // If text frame which has overflowing selection underline is dirty,
   // we need to flush the pending reflow here.
-  mPresShell->FlushPendingNotifications(Flush_Layout);
-
-  // Flushing notifications can cause mPresShell to be destroyed (bug 577963).
-  NS_ENSURE_TRUE(!mPresShell->IsDestroying(), NS_ERROR_FAILURE);
+  if (nsIDocument* doc = mPresShell->GetDocument()) {
+    doc->FlushPendingNotifications(Flush_Layout);
+  }
 
   return NS_OK;
 }