diff --git a/release/scripts/modules/rna_info.py b/release/scripts/modules/rna_info.py
index 0f6d60066a3..9e106597a01 100644
--- a/release/scripts/modules/rna_info.py
+++ b/release/scripts/modules/rna_info.py
@@ -633,6 +633,8 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
         for prop_id, prop in sorted(props):
             data += "%s.%s:    %s    %s\n" % (struct_id_str, prop.identifier, prop.type, prop.description)
 
-
-    text = bpy.data.texts.new(name="api.py")
-    text.from_string(data)
+    if bpy.app.background:
+        print(data)
+    else:
+        text = bpy.data.texts.new(name="api.py")
+        text.from_string(data)