diff --git a/common/pgm_base.cpp b/common/pgm_base.cpp
index 76a4b49a76..ecfbbcf220 100644
--- a/common/pgm_base.cpp
+++ b/common/pgm_base.cpp
@@ -174,7 +174,13 @@ void PGM_BASE::Destroy()
 
 wxApp& PGM_BASE::App()
 {
-    wxASSERT( wxTheApp );
+    if( wxTheApp == nullptr )
+    {
+        // This should only happen with python scripts
+        wxApp dummy;
+        return dummy;
+    }
+
     return *wxTheApp;
 }