diff --git a/src/wp-includes/post-functions.php b/src/wp-includes/post-functions.php
index 7f9a5460f3..bc084c46fa 100644
--- a/src/wp-includes/post-functions.php
+++ b/src/wp-includes/post-functions.php
@@ -4196,7 +4196,10 @@ function get_page_uri( $page ) {
 	$uri = $page->post_name;
 
 	foreach ( $page->ancestors as $parent ) {
-		$uri = get_post( $parent )->post_name . '/' . $uri;
+		$parent = get_post( $parent );
+		if ( 'publish' === $parent->post_status ) {
+			$uri = $parent->post_name . '/' . $uri;
+		}
 	}
 
 	return $uri;
diff --git a/tests/phpunit/tests/post.php b/tests/phpunit/tests/post.php
index ac2ca71ce5..d6ce0309e6 100644
--- a/tests/phpunit/tests/post.php
+++ b/tests/phpunit/tests/post.php
@@ -650,6 +650,24 @@ class Tests_Post extends WP_UnitTestCase {
 		$this->assertFalse( get_page_uri( $post_id ) );
 	}
 
+	/**
+	 * @ticket 15963
+	 */
+	function test_get_post_uri_check_orphan() {
+		$parent_id = $this->factory->post->create( array( 'post_name' => 'parent' ) );
+		$child_id = $this->factory->post->create( array( 'post_name' => 'child', 'post_parent' => $parent_id ) );
+
+		// check the parent for good measure
+		$this->assertEquals( 'parent', get_page_uri( $parent_id ) );
+
+		// try the child normally
+		$this->assertEquals( 'parent/child', get_page_uri( $child_id ) );
+
+		// now delete the parent and check
+		wp_delete_post( $parent_id );
+		$this->assertEquals( 'child', get_page_uri( $child_id ) );
+	}
+
 	/**
 	 * @ticket 23708
 	 */