diff --git a/lib/md038.js b/lib/md038.js
index 25314197..3019a600 100644
--- a/lib/md038.js
+++ b/lib/md038.js
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ module.exports = {
           inlineCodeSpansRe.lastIndex = 0;
         }
         const match = inlineCodeSpansRe.exec(parent.content);
-        const content = match[3];
+        const content = (match || [])[3];
         const leftError = /^\s([^`]|$)/.test(content);
         const rightError = /[^`]\s$/.test(content);
         if (leftError || rightError) {
diff --git a/test/backslashes-and-backticks.md b/test/backslashes-and-backticks.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6a213d1a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/backslashes-and-backticks.md
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+# Heading
+
+\\`\\
+\\`\\