diff --git a/beetsplug/echonest.py b/beetsplug/echonest.py
index a16b8cc6a..1eb6dde3c 100644
--- a/beetsplug/echonest.py
+++ b/beetsplug/echonest.py
@@ -400,7 +400,7 @@ class EchonestMetadataPlugin(plugins.BeetsPlugin):
                         method.__name__,
                         item.artist,
                         item.title,
-                        song['duration'],
+                        song.get('duration'),
                     )
                 )
                 return song
diff --git a/docs/changelog.rst b/docs/changelog.rst
index 17ffaf462..64532a28b 100644
--- a/docs/changelog.rst
+++ b/docs/changelog.rst
@@ -24,6 +24,8 @@ Fixed:
   :doc:`/plugins/echonest` instead.
 * :doc:`/plugins/echonest`: Fingerprint-based lookup has been removed in
   accordance with `API changes`_. :bug:`1121`
+* :doc:`/plugins/echonest`: Avoid a crash when the song has no duration
+  information. :bug:`896`
 
 .. _API changes: http://developer.echonest.com/forums/thread/3650
 .. _Plex: https://plex.tv/