diff --git a/lib/Doctrine/Common/DataFixtures/ReferenceRepository.php b/lib/Doctrine/Common/DataFixtures/ReferenceRepository.php
index 1cac6e38..8d441cba 100644
--- a/lib/Doctrine/Common/DataFixtures/ReferenceRepository.php
+++ b/lib/Doctrine/Common/DataFixtures/ReferenceRepository.php
@@ -139,9 +139,15 @@ public function addReference($name, $object)
      *
      * @param string $name
      * @return object
+     *
+     * @throws \InvalidArgumentException If reference name can't be found.
      */
     public function getReference($name)
     {
+        if (!$this->hasReference($name)) {
+            throw new \InvalidArgumentException('Undefined reference ' . $name);   
+        }
+
         $reference = $this->references[$name];
         $meta = $this->manager->getClassMetadata(get_class($reference));
         $uow = $this->manager->getUnitOfWork();