diff --git a/app/desktop/desktop.py b/app/desktop/desktop.py
index 01458e48a..2323ccbba 100644
--- a/app/desktop/desktop.py
+++ b/app/desktop/desktop.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 setup_certs()
 
 import contextlib
+import logging
 import os
 import sys
 import tkinter as tk
@@ -21,6 +22,8 @@
 from app.desktop.desktop_server import ThreadedServer, server_config
 from app.desktop.util.resource_limits import setup_resource_limits
 
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
 # Set writeable cache directories as soon as we start
 os.environ["LLAMA_INDEX_CACHE_DIR"] = os.path.join(
     Config.settings_dir(), "cache", "llama_index_cache"
@@ -122,8 +125,17 @@ def run_tray(self):
 
         self.tray = KilnTray("kiln", tray_image, "Kiln", menu)
 
-        # running detached since we use tk mainloop to get events from dock icon
-        self.tray.run_detached()
+        try:
+            # running detached since we use tk mainloop to get events from dock icon
+            self.tray.run_detached()
+        except Exception:
+            logger.error("Error running tray", exc_info=True)
+            # Tray not starting on MacOS or Windows is critical.
+            # Let Linux continue to start the app as tray is more fragmented there and requires system deps.
+            if sys.platform in ["darwin", "win32"]:
+                raise
+            else:
+                self.tray = None
 
     def close_splash(self):
         try: