diff --git a/swagger-ui-dist-package/index.js b/swagger-ui-dist-package/index.js
index f97c1c4d..35bf6c8d 100644
--- a/swagger-ui-dist-package/index.js
+++ b/swagger-ui-dist-package/index.js
@@ -1,3 +1,13 @@
-module.exports.SwaggerUIBundle = require("./swagger-ui-bundle.js")
-module.exports.SwaggerUIStandalonePreset = require("./swagger-ui-standalone-preset.js")
+try {
+  module.exports.SwaggerUIBundle = require("./swagger-ui-bundle.js")
+  module.exports.SwaggerUIStandalonePreset = require("./swagger-ui-standalone-preset.js")
+} catch(e) {
+  // swallow the error if there's a problem loading the assets.
+  // allows this module to support providing the assets for browserish contexts,
+  // without exploding in a Node context.
+  //
+  // see https://github.com/swagger-api/swagger-ui/issues/3291#issuecomment-311195388
+  // for more information.
+}
+
 module.exports.absolutePath = require("./absolute-path.js")