diff --git a/parser.go b/parser.go
index cee8f91..ca6d4bc 100644
--- a/parser.go
+++ b/parser.go
@@ -195,7 +195,11 @@ func searchKeys(data []byte, keys ...string) int {
 				if valueFound == nil {
 					return -1
 				} else {
-					return i + valueOffset + searchKeys(valueFound, keys[level+1:]...)
+					subIndex := searchKeys(valueFound, keys[level+1:]...)
+					if subIndex < 0 {
+						return -1
+					}
+					return i + valueOffset + subIndex
 				}
 			} else {
 				// Do not search for keys inside arrays
diff --git a/parser_test.go b/parser_test.go
index 89be330..5f5ab66 100644
--- a/parser_test.go
+++ b/parser_test.go
@@ -357,7 +357,19 @@ var getTests = []GetTest{
 		path:    []string{"b"},
 		isFound: false,
 	},
-
+	{ // Issue #81
+		desc:	`missing key in object in array`,
+		json: 	`{"p":{"a":[{"u":"abc","t":"th"}]}}`,
+		path: 	[]string{"p", "a", "[0]", "x"},
+		isFound: false,
+	},
+	{ // Issue #81 counter test
+		desc:	`existing key in object in array`,
+		json: 	`{"p":{"a":[{"u":"abc","t":"th"}]}}`,
+		path: 	[]string{"p", "a", "[0]", "u"},
+		isFound: true,
+		data:	"abc",
+	},
 	{ // This test returns not found instead of a parse error, as checking for the malformed JSON would reduce performance
 		desc:    "malformed key (followed by comma followed by colon)",
 		json:    `{"a",:1}`,