diff --git a/src/x87/code-stubs-x87.cc b/src/x87/code-stubs-x87.cc
index 2cd2e7ba46f..e0c8f3d7b5a 100644
--- a/src/x87/code-stubs-x87.cc
+++ b/src/x87/code-stubs-x87.cc
@@ -2186,6 +2186,16 @@ void CEntryStub::Generate(MacroAssembler* masm) {
   __ call(ebx);
   // Result is in eax or edx:eax - do not destroy these registers!
 
+  // Runtime functions should not return 'the hole'.  Allowing it to escape may
+  // lead to crashes in the IC code later.
+  if (FLAG_debug_code) {
+    Label okay;
+    __ cmp(eax, isolate()->factory()->the_hole_value());
+    __ j(not_equal, &okay, Label::kNear);
+    __ int3();
+    __ bind(&okay);
+  }
+
   // Check result for exception sentinel.
   Label exception_returned;
   __ cmp(eax, isolate()->factory()->exception());