diff --git a/lib/timeline/Timeline.js b/lib/timeline/Timeline.js
index 97eafd24..aeae38c6 100644
--- a/lib/timeline/Timeline.js
+++ b/lib/timeline/Timeline.js
@@ -63,7 +63,12 @@ function Timeline (container, items, groups, options) {
   this._create(container);
 
   if (!options || (options && typeof options.rtl == "undefined")) {
-    this.options.rtl = window.getComputedStyle(this.dom.root, null).direction == "rtl";
+    var directionFromDom, domNode = this.dom.root;
+    while (!directionFromDom && domNode) {
+      directionFromDom = window.getComputedStyle(domNode, null).direction;
+      domNode = domNode.parentElement;
+    }
+    this.options.rtl = (directionFromDom && (directionFromDom.toLowerCase() == "rtl"));
   } else {
     this.options.rtl = options.rtl;
   }