diff --git a/src/vs/workbench/contrib/remoteTunnel/electron-browser/remoteTunnel.contribution.ts b/src/vs/workbench/contrib/remoteTunnel/electron-browser/remoteTunnel.contribution.ts
index 0eaa650..43eeee6 100644
--- a/src/vs/workbench/contrib/remoteTunnel/electron-browser/remoteTunnel.contribution.ts
+++ b/src/vs/workbench/contrib/remoteTunnel/electron-browser/remoteTunnel.contribution.ts
@@ -152,2 +152,5 @@ export class RemoteTunnelWorkbenchContribution extends Disposable implements IWo
 		const shouldRecommend = async () => {
+			if (!Boolean(remoteExtension)) {
+				return false;
+			}
 			if (this.storageService.getBoolean(REMOTE_TUNNEL_EXTENSION_RECOMMENDED_KEY, StorageScope.APPLICATION)) {