diff --git a/platform/platform-impl/bootstrap/src/com/intellij/platform/ide/bootstrap/startup.kt b/platform/platform-impl/bootstrap/src/com/intellij/platform/ide/bootstrap/startup.kt
index 60e56d995280..113462391c31 100644
--- a/platform/platform-impl/bootstrap/src/com/intellij/platform/ide/bootstrap/startup.kt
+++ b/platform/platform-impl/bootstrap/src/com/intellij/platform/ide/bootstrap/startup.kt
@@ -328,7 +328,9 @@ fun startApplication(
         }.getOrLogException(log)
       }
 
-      applyIslandsTheme(false)
+      withContext(Dispatchers.EDT) {
+        applyIslandsTheme(false)
+      }
       executeApplicationStarter(starter, args)
     }
     // no need to use a pool once started