diff --git a/src/ui/map.js b/src/ui/map.js
index 8bda264935f..bcef97e883d 100755
--- a/src/ui/map.js
+++ b/src/ui/map.js
@@ -284,8 +284,10 @@ class Map extends Camera {
             } else {
                 this._container = container;
             }
-        } else {
+        } else if (options.container instanceof HTMLElement) {
             this._container = options.container;
+        } else {
+            throw new Error(`Invalid type: 'container must be a String or HTMLElement'`);
         }
 
         this.animationLoop = new AnimationLoop();