diff --git a/app/assets/javascripts/darkswarm/directives/map_search.js.coffee b/app/assets/javascripts/darkswarm/directives/map_search.js.coffee
index 0d36b87d2b8..8ac7e5b653f 100644
--- a/app/assets/javascripts/darkswarm/directives/map_search.js.coffee
+++ b/app/assets/javascripts/darkswarm/directives/map_search.js.coffee
@@ -20,10 +20,13 @@ angular.module('Darkswarm').directive 'mapSearch', ($timeout, Search) ->
     $timeout =>
       map = ctrl.getMap()
 
-      searchBox = scope.createSearchBox map
-      scope.bindSearchResponse map, searchBox
-      scope.biasResults map, searchBox
-      scope.performUrlSearch map
+      if !map
+        alert(t('gmap_load_failure'))
+      else
+        searchBox = scope.createSearchBox map
+        scope.bindSearchResponse map, searchBox
+        scope.biasResults map, searchBox
+        scope.performUrlSearch map
 
     scope.createSearchBox = (map) ->
       map.controls[google.maps.ControlPosition.TOP_LEFT].push scope.input
diff --git a/config/locales/en.yml b/config/locales/en.yml
index 80b5a5e90b3..df0e60f54fb 100644
--- a/config/locales/en.yml
+++ b/config/locales/en.yml
@@ -2784,6 +2784,7 @@ See the %{link} to find out more about %{sitename}'s features and to start using
   confirm_hub_change: "Are you sure? This will change your selected hub and remove any items in your shopping cart."
   confirm_oc_change: "Are you sure? This will change your selected order cycle and remove any items in your shopping cart."
   location_placeholder: "Type in a location..."
+  gmap_load_failure: "Unable to load map. Please check your browser settings and allow 3rd party cookies for this website."
   error_required: "can't be blank"
   error_number: "must be number"
   error_email: "must be email address"
diff --git a/spec/system/consumer/map_spec.rb b/spec/system/consumer/map_spec.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..7cafdbeda6d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spec/system/consumer/map_spec.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+# frozen_string_literal: true
+
+require 'system_helper'
+
+RSpec.describe 'Map' do
+  context 'map can load' do
+    it 'does not show alert' do
+      url_whitelist = page.driver.browser.url_whitelist
+      page.driver.browser.url_whitelist = nil
+
+      assert_raises(Capybara::ModalNotFound) do
+        accept_alert { visit '/map' }
+      end
+
+      page.driver.browser.url_whitelist = url_whitelist
+    end
+  end
+
+  context 'map cannot load' do
+    it 'shows alert' do
+      message = accept_alert { visit '/map' }
+      expect(message).to eq(
+        "Unable to load map. Please check your browser " \
+        "settings and allow 3rd party cookies for this website."
+      )
+    end
+  end
+end