diff --git a/pmd-ui/src/main/java/net/sourceforge/pmd/util/fxdesigner/Designer.java b/pmd-ui/src/main/java/net/sourceforge/pmd/util/fxdesigner/Designer.java
index 4846392ca2..01f14af202 100644
--- a/pmd-ui/src/main/java/net/sourceforge/pmd/util/fxdesigner/Designer.java
+++ b/pmd-ui/src/main/java/net/sourceforge/pmd/util/fxdesigner/Designer.java
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ public class Designer extends Application {
 
         stage.setScene(scene);
 
-        if (owner.isDeveloperMode()) {
+        if (!owner.isDeveloperMode()) {
             // only close after initialization succeeded.
             // but before stage.show to reduce unwanted noise
             System.err.close();