diff --git a/platform/core-api/src/com/intellij/ui/ComponentSettings.java b/platform/core-api/src/com/intellij/ui/ComponentSettings.java
index ed741ace276f..9db0b2b8df7b 100644
--- a/platform/core-api/src/com/intellij/ui/ComponentSettings.java
+++ b/platform/core-api/src/com/intellij/ui/ComponentSettings.java
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ public class ComponentSettings {
 
   // Returns whether "true smooth scrolling" is applicable to the particular component
   public boolean isTrueSmoothScrollingEligibleFor(Component component) {
+    if (ApplicationManager.getApplication() == null) return false;
     return isSmoothScrollingSupported() &&
            !ApplicationManager.getApplication().isUnitTestMode() &&
            mySmoothScrollingEnabled &&