diff --git a/contracts/apps/AragonApp.sol b/contracts/apps/AragonApp.sol
index a3339a210..f291963ca 100644
--- a/contracts/apps/AragonApp.sol
+++ b/contracts/apps/AragonApp.sol
@@ -62,7 +62,6 @@ contract AragonApp is AppStorage, Autopetrified, VaultRecoverable, EVMScriptRunn
     */
     function getRecoveryVault() public view returns (address) {
         // Funds recovery via a vault is only available when used with a kernel
-        require(address(kernel()) != address(0));
-        return kernel().getRecoveryVault();
+        return kernel().getRecoveryVault(); // if kernel is not set, it will revert
     }
 }