diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_backend_pdf.py b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_backend_pdf.py
index ded0af7f93c9..95ed12827ff5 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_backend_pdf.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_backend_pdf.py
@@ -218,3 +218,16 @@ def test_pdf_savefig_when_color_is_none(tmpdir):
     fig.savefig(str(expected_image), format='eps')
     result = compare_images(str(actual_image), str(expected_image), 0)
     assert result is None
+
+
+@needs_usetex
+def test_failing_latex(tmpdir):
+    """Test failing latex subprocess call"""
+    path = str(tmpdir.join("tmpoutput.pdf"))
+
+    rcParams['text.usetex'] = True
+
+    # This fails with "Double subscript"
+    plt.xlabel("$22_2_2$")
+    with pytest.raises(RuntimeError):
+        plt.savefig(path)
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_backend_ps.py b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_backend_ps.py
index 0d86b32bd9b7..f93addeed014 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_backend_ps.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_backend_ps.py
@@ -157,3 +157,16 @@ def test_transparency():
     ax.set_axis_off()
     ax.plot([0, 1], color="r", alpha=0)
     ax.text(.5, .5, "foo", color="r", alpha=0)
+
+
+@needs_usetex
+def test_failing_latex(tmpdir):
+    """Test failing latex subprocess call"""
+    path = str(tmpdir.join("tmpoutput.ps"))
+
+    matplotlib.rcParams['text.usetex'] = True
+
+    # This fails with "Double subscript"
+    plt.xlabel("$22_2_2$")
+    with pytest.raises(RuntimeError):
+        plt.savefig(path)