diff --git a/packages/lit-query/src/__tests__/BaseController.test.ts b/packages/lit-query/src/__tests__/BaseController.test.ts
index a5a0e6b147..f754674a80 100644
--- a/packages/lit-query/src/__tests__/BaseController.test.ts
+++ b/packages/lit-query/src/__tests__/BaseController.test.ts
@@ -75,4 +75,26 @@ describe('BaseController', () => {
     controller.destroy()
     provider.remove()
   })
+
+  it('should resolve to a missing client without throwing when the host cannot dispatch events', async () => {
+    const host: ReactiveControllerHost = {
+      addController: () => {},
+      removeController: () => {},
+      requestUpdate: () => {},
+      updateComplete: Promise.resolve(true),
+    }
+
+    const controller = new RecordingController(host)
+    controller.hostConnected()
+    await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(0)
+    expect(controller.lifecycle).toEqual([
+      'connected:missing',
+      'changed:missing',
+    ])
+    expect(() => controller.current).toThrow(
+      'No QueryClient available. Pass one explicitly or render within QueryClientProvider.',
+    )
+
+    controller.destroy()
+  })
 })