diff --git a/src/plugins/plugin_xep_0277.py b/src/plugins/plugin_xep_0277.py
index 5a40cc2f..d1a91277 100755
--- a/src/plugins/plugin_xep_0277.py
+++ b/src/plugins/plugin_xep_0277.py
@@ -173,6 +173,8 @@ class XEP_0277(object):
             type_ = elem.getAttribute('type')
             if type_ == 'xhtml':
                 data_elt = elem.firstChildElement()
+                if data_elt is None:
+                    raise failure.Failure(exceptions.DataError(u"XHML content not wrapped in a <div/> element, this is not standard !"))
                 if data_elt.uri != NS_XHTML:
                     raise failure.Failure(exceptions.DataError(_('Content of type XHTML must declare its namespace!')))
                 key = check_conflict(u'{}_xhtml'.format(elem.name))