diff --git a/numpy/core/numeric.py b/numpy/core/numeric.py
index 0b728f8043f2..a672fdc530f2 100644
--- a/numpy/core/numeric.py
+++ b/numpy/core/numeric.py
@@ -2198,7 +2198,7 @@ def base_repr(number, base=2, padding=0):
     Parameters
     ----------
     number : int
-        The value to convert. Only positive values are handled.
+        The value to convert. Positive and negative values are handled.
     base : int, optional
         Convert `number` to the `base` number system. The valid range is 2-36,
         the default value is 2.
@@ -2232,6 +2232,8 @@ def base_repr(number, base=2, padding=0):
     digits = '0123456789ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ'
     if base > len(digits):
         raise ValueError("Bases greater than 36 not handled in base_repr.")
+    elif base < 2:
+        raise ValueError("Bases less than 2 not handled in base_repr.")
 
     num = abs(number)
     res = []
diff --git a/numpy/core/tests/test_numeric.py b/numpy/core/tests/test_numeric.py
index 34be84135a9f..7309cf2249c0 100644
--- a/numpy/core/tests/test_numeric.py
+++ b/numpy/core/tests/test_numeric.py
@@ -1044,6 +1044,12 @@ def test_negative(self):
         assert_equal(np.base_repr(-12, 10, 4), '-000012')
         assert_equal(np.base_repr(-12, 4), '-30')
 
+    def test_base_range(self):
+        with self.assertRaises(ValueError):
+            np.base_repr(1, 1)
+        with self.assertRaises(ValueError):
+            np.base_repr(1, 37)
+
 
 class TestArrayComparisons(TestCase):
     def test_array_equal(self):