diff --git a/src/common/appbase.cpp b/src/common/appbase.cpp
index c8ec12a388..f2bed9aca8 100644
--- a/src/common/appbase.cpp
+++ b/src/common/appbase.cpp
@@ -154,6 +154,10 @@ wxAppConsoleBase::wxAppConsoleBase()
 
 wxAppConsoleBase::~wxAppConsoleBase()
 {
+    // we're being destroyed and using this object from now on may not work or
+    // even crash so don't leave dangling pointers to it
+    ms_appInstance = NULL;
+
     delete m_traits;
 }