diff --git a/chrome/content/zotero/xpcom/utilities.js b/chrome/content/zotero/xpcom/utilities.js
index d3a76ef51c..0e937bd770 100644
--- a/chrome/content/zotero/xpcom/utilities.js
+++ b/chrome/content/zotero/xpcom/utilities.js
@@ -1815,7 +1815,7 @@ Zotero.Utilities = {
 	 * @param {Object} cslItem
 	 */
 	"itemFromCSLJSON":function(item, cslItem) {
-		var isZoteroItem = item instanceof Zotero.Item,
+		var isZoteroItem = !!item.setType,
 			zoteroType;
 		
 		// Some special cases to help us map item types correctly
diff --git a/test/tests/utilitiesTest.js b/test/tests/utilitiesTest.js
index 23cda017f9..8105fc0452 100644
--- a/test/tests/utilitiesTest.js
+++ b/test/tests/utilitiesTest.js
@@ -384,6 +384,19 @@ describe("Zotero.Utilities", function() {
 			
 			assert.equal(item.getField('title'), jsonAttachment.title, 'title imported correctly');
 		});
+		// For Zotero.Item created in translation sandbox in connectors
+		it("should not depend on Zotero.Item existing", function* () {
+			let item = new Zotero.Item;
+			var Item = Zotero.Item;
+			delete Zotero.Item;
+			assert.throws(() => "" instanceof Zotero.Item);
+
+			let data = loadSampleData('citeProcJSExport');
+			assert.doesNotThrow(Zotero.Utilities.itemFromCSLJSON.bind(Zotero.Utilities, item, Object.values(data)[0]));
+			
+			Zotero.Item = Item;
+			assert.doesNotThrow(() => "" instanceof Zotero.Item);
+		})
 	});
 	
 	describe("#ellipsize()", function () {