diff --git a/src/qt/bitcoin.cpp b/src/qt/bitcoin.cpp
--- a/src/qt/bitcoin.cpp
+++ b/src/qt/bitcoin.cpp
@@ -364,8 +364,13 @@
         window->setCurrentWallet(walletModel->getWalletName());
     }
 
-    connect(walletModel, &WalletModel::coinsSent, paymentServer,
-            &PaymentServer::fetchPaymentACK);
+    // This null check diverges from Core and is a temporary fix until PR15101
+    // is backported. addWallet() is removed entirely in that backport, so no
+    // extra action will need to be taken.
+    if (paymentServer) {
+        connect(walletModel, &WalletModel::coinsSent, paymentServer,
+                &PaymentServer::fetchPaymentACK);
+    }
     connect(walletModel, &WalletModel::unload, this,
             &BitcoinApplication::removeWallet);