diff --git a/qutebrowser/browser/webkit/webkitelem.py b/qutebrowser/browser/webkit/webkitelem.py
index 2a1eafc9e..829052798 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/browser/webkit/webkitelem.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/browser/webkit/webkitelem.py
@@ -118,6 +118,8 @@ class WebKitElement(webelem.AbstractWebElement):
 
     def set_value(self, value):
         self._check_vanished()
+        if self._tab.is_deleted():
+            raise webelem.OrphanedError("Tab containing element vanished")
         if self.is_content_editable():
             log.webelem.debug("Filling {!r} via set_text.".format(self))
             self._elem.setPlainText(value)