diff --git a/src/google_map_markers.js b/src/google_map_markers.js
index c0389249..88c06a21 100644
--- a/src/google_map_markers.js
+++ b/src/google_map_markers.js
@@ -96,10 +96,21 @@ export default class GoogleMapMarkers extends Component {
     this.dimensionsCache_ = {};
   }
 
-  _getState = () => ({
-    children: this.props.dispatcher.getChildren(),
-    updateCounter: this.props.dispatcher.getUpdateCounter(),
-  });
+  _getState = () => {
+    let children = [];
+    let updateCounter = 0;
+
+    if (this.props.dispatcher.getChildren) {
+      children = this.props.dispatcher.getChildren();
+    }
+    if (this.props.dispatcher.getUpdateCounter) {
+      this.props.dispatcher.getUpdateCounter();
+    }
+    return {
+      children,
+      updateCounter,
+    };
+  };
 
   _onChangeHandler = () => {
     if (!this.dimensionsCache_) {