diff --git a/src/Avalonia.Controls/MenuItem.cs b/src/Avalonia.Controls/MenuItem.cs
index dde689e89c..91f427936c 100644
--- a/src/Avalonia.Controls/MenuItem.cs
+++ b/src/Avalonia.Controls/MenuItem.cs
@@ -368,9 +368,12 @@ namespace Avalonia.Controls
         /// </summary>
         private void CloseSubmenus()
         {
-            foreach (var child in Items.OfType<MenuItem>())
+            if (Items != null)
             {
-                child.IsSubMenuOpen = false;
+                foreach (var child in Items.OfType<MenuItem>())
+                {
+                    child.IsSubMenuOpen = false;
+                }
             }
         }