diff --git a/packages/livedata/livedata_server.js b/packages/livedata/livedata_server.js
index 85ff32e7e9..799ce6bd06 100644
--- a/packages/livedata/livedata_server.js
+++ b/packages/livedata/livedata_server.js
@@ -440,10 +440,14 @@ _.extend(Meteor._LivedataSession.prototype, {
 
     var res = handler.apply(sub, params || []);
 
-    // automatically wire up handlers that return a Cursor.
-    // otherwise, the handler is completely responsible for delivering
-    // its own data messages and registering stop functions.
-    if (res instanceof _Mongo.Cursor) // XXX generalize
+    // if Meteor._RemoteCollectionDriver is available (defined in
+    // mongo-livedata), automatically wire up handlers that return a
+    // Cursor.  otherwise, the handler is completely responsible for
+    // delivering its own data messages and registering stop
+    // functions.
+    //
+    // XXX generalize
+    if (Meteor._RemoteCollectionDriver && (res instanceof Meteor._Mongo.Cursor))
       sub._publishCursor(res);
   },