diff --git a/src/Avalonia.Controls/Platform/PlatformManager.cs b/src/Avalonia.Controls/Platform/PlatformManager.cs
index 92f6f1cb52..494c847012 100644
--- a/src/Avalonia.Controls/Platform/PlatformManager.cs
+++ b/src/Avalonia.Controls/Platform/PlatformManager.cs
@@ -25,9 +25,7 @@ namespace Avalonia.Controls.Platform
             var platform = AvaloniaLocator.Current.GetService<IWindowingPlatform>();
 
             if (platform == null)
-            {
-                throw new Exception("Could not CreateTrayIcon(): IWindowingPlatform is not registered.");
-            }
+                return null;
 
             return s_designerMode ? null : platform.CreateTrayIcon();
         }