diff --git a/src/blackcore/actionbind.cpp b/src/blackcore/actionbind.cpp
index db7ade4af..e11f501e4 100644
--- a/src/blackcore/actionbind.cpp
+++ b/src/blackcore/actionbind.cpp
@@ -18,6 +18,8 @@ namespace BlackCore
 
     QString CActionBind::registerAction(const QString &action, const QPixmap &icon)
     {
+        if (!sApp || sApp->isShuttingDown()) return {};
+
         const QString a = CActionBind::normalizeAction(action);
         Q_ASSERT_X(sApp && sApp->getInputManager(), Q_FUNC_INFO, "Missing input manager");
         sApp->getInputManager()->registerAction(a, icon);
diff --git a/src/blackcore/actionbind.h b/src/blackcore/actionbind.h
index 083ce13ff..3f4a194ce 100644
--- a/src/blackcore/actionbind.h
+++ b/src/blackcore/actionbind.h
@@ -37,6 +37,9 @@ namespace BlackCore
                     QObject *parent = nullptr) :
             QObject(parent), m_deleteCallback(deleteCallback)
         {
+            // workaround if a binding is taking place in an empty context
+            if (!sApp || sApp->isShuttingDown()) { return; }
+
             const QString a = CActionBind::registerAction(action, icon);
             Q_ASSERT_X(sApp && sApp->getInputManager(), Q_FUNC_INFO, "Missing input manager");
             m_index = sApp->getInputManager()->bind(a, receiver, slot);