diff --git a/lib/Twig/Node/Expression/GetAttr.php b/lib/Twig/Node/Expression/GetAttr.php
index 2208c9e4d..fcf50f692 100644
--- a/lib/Twig/Node/Expression/GetAttr.php
+++ b/lib/Twig/Node/Expression/GetAttr.php
@@ -20,7 +20,9 @@ class Twig_Node_Expression_GetAttr extends Twig_Node_Expression
     {
         $compiler->raw('$this->getAttribute(');
 
-        if ($this->hasAttribute('is_defined_test')) {
+        if ($this->hasAttribute('is_defined_test')
+            && $compiler->getEnvironment()->isStrictVariables()
+        ) {
             $compiler->subcompile(new Twig_Node_Expression_Filter(
                 $this->getNode('node'),
                 new Twig_Node_Expression_Constant('default', $this->getLine()),