diff --git a/atom/browser/atom_browser_main_parts_mac.mm b/atom/browser/atom_browser_main_parts_mac.mm
index 564dd2cd54e3..d31dde15dd68 100644
--- a/atom/browser/atom_browser_main_parts_mac.mm
+++ b/atom/browser/atom_browser_main_parts_mac.mm
@@ -41,7 +41,8 @@ void AtomBrowserMainParts::PreMainMessageLoopStart() {
 }
 
 void AtomBrowserMainParts::PostDestroyThreads() {
-  [[AtomApplication sharedApplication] setDelegate:nil];
+  [[NSApp delegate] release];
+  [NSApp setDelegate:nil];
 }
 
 }  // namespace atom