diff --git a/types/atom/atom-tests.ts b/types/atom/atom-tests.ts
index 39cbb9ead0..9d01e194a9 100644
--- a/types/atom/atom-tests.ts
+++ b/types/atom/atom-tests.ts
@@ -1327,7 +1327,8 @@ function testMarkerLayer() {
     markers = markerLayer.findMarkers({ containsRange: [[0, 0], pos] });
     markers = markerLayer.findMarkers({ containsRange: [[0, 0], [0, 0]] });
 
-    str = markerLayer.getRole();
+    const role = markerLayer.getRole();
+    if (role) str = role;
 
     // Marker creation
     marker = markerLayer.markRange(range);
diff --git a/types/atom/index.d.ts b/types/atom/index.d.ts
index 8546e0e458..232c20a034 100644
--- a/types/atom/index.d.ts
+++ b/types/atom/index.d.ts
@@ -1005,7 +1005,7 @@ export interface MarkerLayer {
     findMarkers(params: FindMarkerOptions): Marker[];
 
     /** Get the role of the marker layer e.g. "atom.selection". */
-    getRole(): string;
+    getRole(): string | undefined;
 
     // Marker Creation
     /** Create a marker with the given range. */