diff --git a/src/pymodaq_gui/utils/custom_app.py b/src/pymodaq_gui/utils/custom_app.py
index 48750c69..97a94c1a 100644
--- a/src/pymodaq_gui/utils/custom_app.py
+++ b/src/pymodaq_gui/utils/custom_app.py
@@ -72,7 +72,10 @@ def setup_ui(self):
 
         self.setup_actions()  # see ActionManager MixIn class
 
-        self.setup_menu(self._menubar)
+        try:
+            self.setup_menu(self._menubar)
+        except TypeError:
+            self.setup_menu()  # for backcompatibility
 
         self.connect_things()