diff --git a/src/pytest_bdd/plugin.py b/src/pytest_bdd/plugin.py
index 7a229b19..a19fef9e 100644
--- a/src/pytest_bdd/plugin.py
+++ b/src/pytest_bdd/plugin.py
@@ -128,6 +128,17 @@ def pytest_bdd_after_step(
     reporting.after_step(request, feature, scenario, step, step_func, step_func_args)
 
 
+@pytest.hookimpl(tryfirst=True)
+def pytest_bdd_step_func_lookup_error(
+    request: FixtureRequest,
+    feature: Feature,
+    scenario: Scenario,
+    step: Step,
+    exception: Exception,
+) -> None:
+    reporting.step_func_lookup_error(request, feature, scenario, step, exception)
+
+
 def pytest_cmdline_main(config: Config) -> int | None:
     return generation.cmdline_main(config)
 
diff --git a/src/pytest_bdd/reporting.py b/src/pytest_bdd/reporting.py
index f3af9900..a21ea308 100644
--- a/src/pytest_bdd/reporting.py
+++ b/src/pytest_bdd/reporting.py
@@ -226,6 +226,24 @@ def step_error(
     scenario_reports_registry[request.node].fail()
 
 
+def step_func_lookup_error(
+    request: FixtureRequest,
+    feature: Feature,
+    scenario: Scenario,
+    step: Step,
+    exception: Exception,
+) -> None:
+    """Record the step with the missing definition as failed.
+
+    Without this, a scenario whose first step has no definition would leave
+    no step reports behind, and reporters (e.g. the cucumber json report)
+    would silently drop the whole scenario.
+    """
+    scenario_report = scenario_reports_registry[request.node]
+    scenario_report.add_step_report(StepReport(step=step))
+    scenario_report.fail()
+
+
 def before_step(
     request: FixtureRequest,
     feature: Feature,
diff --git a/tests/feature/test_cucumber_json.py b/tests/feature/test_cucumber_json.py
index 7ddc3680..ff950090 100644
--- a/tests/feature/test_cucumber_json.py
+++ b/tests/feature/test_cucumber_json.py
@@ -239,6 +239,56 @@ def test_passing_outline():
     assert jsonobject == expected
 
 
+def test_missing_first_step_definition(pytester):
+    """Test that a scenario whose first step is not implemented is still reported (see issue #721)."""
+    pytester.makefile(
+        ".feature",
+        test=textwrap.dedent(
+            """
+    Feature: Missing step definitions
+        Scenario: First step missing
+            Given a missing first step
+            When a present second step
+            Then a present third step
+    """
+        ),
+    )
+    pytester.makepyfile(
+        textwrap.dedent(
+            """
+        from pytest_bdd import scenario, then, when
+
+        @when('a present second step')
+        def _():
+            pass
+
+        @then('a present third step')
+        def _():
+            pass
+
+        @scenario('test.feature', 'First step missing')
+        def test_scenario():
+            pass
+    """
+        )
+    )
+    result, jsonobject = runandparse(pytester)
+    result.assert_outcomes(failed=1)
+
+    elements = jsonobject[0]["elements"]
+    assert len(elements) == 1
+    assert elements[0]["name"] == "First step missing"
+
+    steps = elements[0]["steps"]
+    assert [step["name"] for step in steps] == [
+        "a missing first step",
+        "a present second step",
+        "a present third step",
+    ]
+    assert steps[0]["result"]["status"] == "failed"
+    assert "Step definition is not found" in steps[0]["result"]["error_message"]
+
+
 def test_pytest_fail_in_step_body(pytester):
     """Test that pytest.fail() in a step body is captured as failed in the JSON output."""
     pytester.makefile(