diff --git a/core/modules/node/node.install b/core/modules/node/node.install
index 92bf346..eaa022c 100644
--- a/core/modules/node/node.install
+++ b/core/modules/node/node.install
@@ -430,8 +430,10 @@ function node_install() {
   // there is hardly a point in installing the Node module without granting
   // these permissions. Doing so also allows tests to continue to operate as
   // expected without first having to manually grant these default permissions.
-  user_role_grant_permissions(DRUPAL_ANONYMOUS_RID, array('access content'));
-  user_role_grant_permissions(DRUPAL_AUTHENTICATED_RID, array('access content'));
+  if (\Drupal::moduleHandler()->moduleExists('user')) {
+    user_role_grant_permissions(DRUPAL_ANONYMOUS_RID, array('access content'));
+    user_role_grant_permissions(DRUPAL_AUTHENTICATED_RID, array('access content'));
+  }
 
   // Populate the node access table.
   db_insert('node_access')