diff --git a/lib/jsdoc/util/templateHelper.js b/lib/jsdoc/util/templateHelper.js
index b74581a0..31193b56 100644
--- a/lib/jsdoc/util/templateHelper.js
+++ b/lib/jsdoc/util/templateHelper.js
@@ -759,10 +759,17 @@ exports.getSignatureReturns = function(d, cssClass) {
 exports.getAncestors = function(data, doclet) {
     var ancestors = [];
     var doc = doclet;
+    var previousDoc;
 
     while (doc) {
+        previousDoc = doc;
         doc = find(data, {longname: doc.memberof})[0];
 
+        // prevent infinite loop that can be caused by duplicated module definitions
+        if (previousDoc === doc) {
+            break;
+        }
+
         if (doc) {
             ancestors.unshift(doc);
         }