diff --git a/src/kits/locale/LibbeLocaleBackend.cpp b/src/kits/locale/LibbeLocaleBackend.cpp
index c9e8d292d8..9627e9e8e3 100644
--- a/src/kits/locale/LibbeLocaleBackend.cpp
+++ b/src/kits/locale/LibbeLocaleBackend.cpp
@@ -38,7 +38,11 @@ const char*
 LibbeLocaleBackend::GetString(const char* string, const char* context,
 	const char* comment)
 {
-	return systemCatalog->GetString(string, context, comment);
+	// The system catalog will not be there for non-localized apps.
+	if(systemCatalog)
+		return systemCatalog->GetString(string, context, comment);
+	else
+		return string;
 }