diff --git a/src/UserSettingsStore.js b/src/UserSettingsStore.js
index ede5a157a8..eca6d916a9 100644
--- a/src/UserSettingsStore.js
+++ b/src/UserSettingsStore.js
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ export default {
             syncedSettings = this.getSyncedSettings();
         }
         if (!syncedSettings || !syncedSettings.theme) {
-            theme = SdkConfig.get().default_theme || 'light';
+            theme = (SdkConfig.get() ? SdkConfig.get().default_theme : undefined) || 'light';
         }
         else {
             theme = syncedSettings.theme;