diff --git a/movement/kinematics/kinematics.py b/movement/kinematics/kinematics.py
index 523482717..0a3de53e7 100644
--- a/movement/kinematics/kinematics.py
+++ b/movement/kinematics/kinematics.py
@@ -54,6 +54,13 @@ def compute_time_derivative(data: xr.DataArray, order: int) -> xr.DataArray:
     if order <= 0:
         raise logger.error(ValueError("Order must be a positive integer."))
     validate_dims_coords(data, {"time": []})
+    if data.sizes.get("time", 0) < 2:
+        raise logger.error(
+            ValueError(
+                "Cannot compute the time derivative of data with fewer than 2 "
+                "time frames."
+            )
+        )
     result = data
     for _ in range(order):
         result = result.differentiate("time")
diff --git a/tests/test_unit/test_kinematics/test_kinematics.py b/tests/test_unit/test_kinematics/test_kinematics.py
index 8cdfc46d3..9596592ee 100644
--- a/tests/test_unit/test_kinematics/test_kinematics.py
+++ b/tests/test_unit/test_kinematics/test_kinematics.py
@@ -180,6 +180,18 @@ def test_time_derivative_with_invalid_order(order, expected_exception):
         kinematics.compute_time_derivative(data, order=order)
 
 
+def test_time_derivative_single_frame():
+    """Test error is raised when input data has fewer than 2 frames."""
+    data = xr.DataArray(
+        np.zeros((1, 2)), dims=["time", "space"], coords={"time": [1]}
+    )
+    with pytest.raises(
+        ValueError,
+        match="Cannot compute the time derivative.*fewer than 2 time frames",
+    ):
+        kinematics.compute_time_derivative(data, order=1)
+
+
 time_points_value_error = pytest.raises(
     ValueError,
     match="At least 2 time points are required to compute path length",