diff --git a/src/vs/workbench/api/common/extHostExtensionService.ts b/src/vs/workbench/api/common/extHostExtensionService.ts
index 3e54665abcc..307de4ddaed 100644
--- a/src/vs/workbench/api/common/extHostExtensionService.ts
+++ b/src/vs/workbench/api/common/extHostExtensionService.ts
@@ -313,7 +313,11 @@ export abstract class AbstractExtHostExtensionService extends Disposable impleme
 		if (this._readyToRunExtensions.isOpen()) {
 			return this._activator.getActivatedExtension(extensionId).exports;
 		} else {
-			return null;
+			try {
+				return this._activator.getActivatedExtension(extensionId).exports;
+			} catch (err) {
+				return null;
+			}
 		}
 	}