diff --git a/src/atom-package.coffee b/src/atom-package.coffee
index f204eec7d..0261b980c 100644
--- a/src/atom-package.coffee
+++ b/src/atom-package.coffee
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ class AtomPackage extends Package
         console.error "Error serializing package '#{@name}'", e.stack
 
   deactivate: ->
-    @activationDeferred.reject()
+    @activationDeferred?.reject()
     @activationDeferred = null
     @unsubscribeFromActivationEvents()
     @deactivateResources()