diff --git a/Lib/test/test_builtin.py b/Lib/test/test_builtin.py
index 6fa5ea67c8b399..8c9c1e506752ea 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_builtin.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_builtin.py
@@ -2072,6 +2072,11 @@ def test_envar_ignored_when_hook_is_set(self):
             breakpoint()
             mock.assert_not_called()
 
+    def test_runtime_error_when_hook_is_lost(self):
+        del sys.breakpointhook
+        with self.assertRaises(RuntimeError):
+            breakpoint()
+
 
 @unittest.skipUnless(pty, "the pty and signal modules must be available")
 class PtyTests(unittest.TestCase):