diff --git a/src/store/actions/edit.js b/src/store/actions/edit.js
index 91000e7..daadaed 100644
--- a/src/store/actions/edit.js
+++ b/src/store/actions/edit.js
@@ -28,12 +28,20 @@ exports.loadDesktopApps = function() {
 
     logger.info('Loading desktop apps...');
 
-    var baseDirs = global.process.env.XDG_DATA_DIRS.split(':').map(function(baseDir){
+    dispatch({ type: LOAD_DESKTOP_APPS });
+
+    var xdgDataDirs = global.process.env.XDG_DATA_DIRS;
+
+    if( !xdgDataDirs ) {
+      logger.warn('The environment variable XDG_DATA_DIRS is empty. Can\'t find any application.');
+      dispatch({ type: LOAD_DESKTOP_APPS_SUCCESS,  desktopApps: [] });
+      return;
+    }
+
+    var baseDirs = xdgDataDirs.split(':').map(function(baseDir){
       return path.join(baseDir, 'applications');
     });
 
-    dispatch({ type: LOAD_DESKTOP_APPS });
-
     return Util.DesktopApps.loadAllDesktopFiles(baseDirs)
       .then(function(desktopApps) {
         logger.info('Desktop apps loaded.');