diff --git a/tinyxml2.cpp b/tinyxml2.cpp
index 6e1985b..a6f1a9f 100755
--- a/tinyxml2.cpp
+++ b/tinyxml2.cpp
@@ -886,7 +886,18 @@ char* XMLNode::ParseDeep( char* p, StrPair* parentEnd )
             }
             break;
         }
-
+        
+        XMLElement* ele = node->ToDeclaration();
+        if ( decl ) {
+        	// A declaration can only be the first child of a document.
+        	// Set error, if document already has children.
+        	if ( ! _document->NoChildren() ) {
+        		_document->SetError(XML_ERROR_PARSING_DECLARATION, decl->Value(), 0);
+        		DeleteNode( decl );
+        		break;
+        	}
+        }
+        
         XMLElement* ele = node->ToElement();
         if ( ele ) {
             // We read the end tag. Return it to the parent.