diff --git a/components/style/dom.rs b/components/style/dom.rs
index b1a12307311..1916e8db730 100644
--- a/components/style/dom.rs
+++ b/components/style/dom.rs
@@ -756,11 +756,18 @@ pub trait TElement
     /// element-backed pseudo-element, in which case we return the originating
     /// element.
     fn rule_hash_target(&self) -> Self {
-        let is_implemented_pseudo =
-            self.implemented_pseudo_element().is_some();
-
-        if is_implemented_pseudo {
-            self.closest_non_native_anonymous_ancestor().unwrap()
+        if let Some(pseudo) = self.implemented_pseudo_element() {
+            match self.closest_non_native_anonymous_ancestor() {
+                Some(e) => e,
+                None => {
+                    panic!(
+                        "Trying to collect rules for a detached pseudo-element: \
+                        {:?} {:?}",
+                        pseudo,
+                        self,
+                    )
+                }
+            }
         } else {
             *self
         }