diff --git a/packages/steps/src/LionSteps.js b/packages/steps/src/LionSteps.js
index 71746099e..cb98119db 100644
--- a/packages/steps/src/LionSteps.js
+++ b/packages/steps/src/LionSteps.js
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ export class LionSteps extends ObserverMixin(LionLitElement) {
         hasInitial = true;
       }
     });
-    if (!hasInitial) {
+    if (!hasInitial && this.steps[0]) {
       this.steps[0].enter();
     }
   }
diff --git a/packages/steps/test/lion-steps.test.js b/packages/steps/test/lion-steps.test.js
index ebea44a45..e1289fa50 100644
--- a/packages/steps/test/lion-steps.test.js
+++ b/packages/steps/test/lion-steps.test.js
@@ -27,6 +27,13 @@ async function checkWorkflow(steps, expected) {
 }
 
 describe('lion-steps', () => {
+  it('can be instantiated', async () => {
+    const el = await fixture(html`
+      <lion-steps> </lion-steps>
+    `);
+    expect(el).to.be.a('HTMLElement');
+  });
+
   it('has "steps" getter that returns default slot elements', async () => {
     const el = await fixture(html`
       <lion-steps>