diff --git a/src/embind/embind.js b/src/embind/embind.js
index 5c3238314..e9c92f5e4 100644
--- a/src/embind/embind.js
+++ b/src/embind/embind.js
@@ -393,7 +393,7 @@ function __embind_register_smart_ptr(
     };
     
     Handle.prototype['delete'] = function() {
-        if (!this.ptr) {
+        if (!this.ptr && !this.smartPointer) {
             throw new BindingError(pointeeType.name + ' instance already deleted');
         }