diff --git a/ipykernel/eventloops.py b/ipykernel/eventloops.py
index 29434bb41..4911c87ee 100644
--- a/ipykernel/eventloops.py
+++ b/ipykernel/eventloops.py
@@ -285,7 +285,10 @@ def start(self):
 
 @loop_tk.exit
 def loop_tk_exit(kernel):
-    kernel.app_wrapper.app.destroy()
+    try:
+        kernel.app_wrapper.app.destroy()
+    except RuntimeError:
+        pass
 
 
 @register_integration('gtk')