diff --git a/lib/fill_in_govuk_text_field.rb b/lib/fill_in_govuk_text_field.rb
index eea3a50..8720f86 100644
--- a/lib/fill_in_govuk_text_field.rb
+++ b/lib/fill_in_govuk_text_field.rb
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ def fill_in
       @input = @inputs.first
 
       check_associated_element_is_a_form_field
+      check_input_type_is_text
 
       aria_described_by_ids = @input["aria-describedby"].to_s.strip.split(/\s+/)
 
@@ -103,6 +104,10 @@ def check_associated_element_is_a_form_field
       end
     end
 
+    def check_input_type_is_text
+      raise "Found the field, but it has type=\"#{@input[:type]}\", expected type=\"text\"" unless @input[:type] == "text"
+    end
+
     def check_field_is_described_by_a_hint
       if @described_by_elements.size == 0
         check_if_the_hint_exists_but_is_not_associated_with_field
diff --git a/spec/fill_in_govuk_text_field_spec.rb b/spec/fill_in_govuk_text_field_spec.rb
index ccb4a1f..63e0ba5 100644
--- a/spec/fill_in_govuk_text_field_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/fill_in_govuk_text_field_spec.rb
@@ -294,5 +294,23 @@
         expect(page.find_field("What is the name of the event?").value).to eql("Design System Day")
       end
     end
+
+    context "where the input has type=email" do
+      before do
+        TestApp.body = '<form action="/success" method="post"><div class="govuk-form-group">
+    <label class="govuk-label" for="email">
+      Email address
+    </label>
+    <input class="govuk-input" id="email" name="email" type="email" spellcheck="false" autocomplete="email">
+  </div></form>'
+        visit('/')
+      end
+
+      it 'should raise an error' do
+        expect {
+          fill_in_govuk_text_field("Email address", with: "test@example.com")
+        }.to raise_error('Found the field, but it has type="email", expected type="text"')
+      end
+    end
   end
 end