diff --git a/service/updates/upgrade.go b/service/updates/upgrade.go
index 7edf653f..d0c5331f 100644
--- a/service/updates/upgrade.go
+++ b/service/updates/upgrade.go
@@ -24,9 +24,11 @@ func (u *Updater) upgrade(downloader *Downloader, ignoreVersion bool) error {
 		}
 	}
 
-	// Unload UI assets to be able to move files on Windows.
-	u.instance.UI().EnableUpgradeLock()
-	defer u.instance.UI().DisableUpgradeLock()
+	// If we are running in a UI instance, we need to unload the UI assets
+	if u.instance != nil {
+		u.instance.UI().EnableUpgradeLock()
+		defer u.instance.UI().DisableUpgradeLock()
+	}
 
 	// Execute the upgrade.
 	upgradeError := u.upgradeMoveFiles(downloader)