diff --git a/ipykernel/kernelapp.py b/ipykernel/kernelapp.py
index 57f16a79..1fbebcdb 100644
--- a/ipykernel/kernelapp.py
+++ b/ipykernel/kernelapp.py
@@ -733,12 +733,12 @@ def initialize(self, argv=None):
     def start(self) -> None:
         """Start the application."""
         if self.subapp is not None:
-            self.subapp.start()
+            return self.subapp.start()
         if self.poller is not None:
             self.poller.start()
-        if self.kernel is not None:
-            backend = "trio" if self.trio_loop else "asyncio"
-            run(self.main, backend=backend)
+        backend = "trio" if self.trio_loop else "asyncio"
+        run(self.main, backend=backend)
+        return
 
     async def _wait_to_enter_eventloop(self):
         await self.kernel._eventloop_set.wait()