diff --git a/lib/less/browser.js b/lib/less/browser.js
index ae5e8b3e..8e2141a4 100644
--- a/lib/less/browser.js
+++ b/lib/less/browser.js
@@ -22,11 +22,10 @@ var readyTimer = setInterval(function () {
         clearInterval(readyTimer);
 
         loadStyleSheets(function (root, sheet, env) {
-            createCSS(root.toCSS(), sheet, env.lastModified);
-
             if (env.local) {
                 log("less: loading " + sheet.href + " from local storage.");
             } else {
+                createCSS(root.toCSS(), sheet, env.lastModified);
                 log("less: parsed " + sheet.href + " successfully.");
             }
         });
@@ -40,7 +39,9 @@ if (less.env === 'development') {
     refreshTimer = setInterval(function () {
         if (/!refresh/.test(location.hash)) {
             loadStyleSheets(function (root, sheet, lastModified) {
-                createCSS(root.toCSS(), sheet, lastModified);
+                if (root) {
+                    createCSS(root.toCSS(), sheet, lastModified);
+                }
             });
         }
     }, 1000);