diff --git a/packages/flutter_tools/lib/src/debug_adapters/flutter_adapter.dart b/packages/flutter_tools/lib/src/debug_adapters/flutter_adapter.dart
index 231c3f563bc..4bf367003c3 100644
--- a/packages/flutter_tools/lib/src/debug_adapters/flutter_adapter.dart
+++ b/packages/flutter_tools/lib/src/debug_adapters/flutter_adapter.dart
@@ -663,6 +663,12 @@ class FlutterDebugAdapter extends FlutterBaseDebugAdapter {
     bool fullRestart, [
     String? reason,
   ]) async {
+    // Don't do anything if the app hasn't started yet, as restarts and reloads
+    // can only operate on a running app.
+    if (_appId == null) {
+      return;
+    }
+
     final String progressId = fullRestart ? 'hotRestart' : 'hotReload';
     final String progressMessage = fullRestart ? 'Hot restarting…' : 'Hot reloading…';
     final DapProgressReporter progress = startProgressNotification(
diff --git a/packages/flutter_tools/test/general.shard/dap/flutter_adapter_test.dart b/packages/flutter_tools/test/general.shard/dap/flutter_adapter_test.dart
index c6d347d28c9..a76b9fd20e4 100644
--- a/packages/flutter_tools/test/general.shard/dap/flutter_adapter_test.dart
+++ b/packages/flutter_tools/test/general.shard/dap/flutter_adapter_test.dart
@@ -186,6 +186,30 @@ void main() {
         expect(adapter.dapToFlutterRequests, isNot(contains('app.stop')));
       });
 
+      test('does not call "app.restart" before app has been started', () async {
+        final MockFlutterDebugAdapter adapter = MockFlutterDebugAdapter(
+          fileSystem: MemoryFileSystem.test(style: fsStyle),
+          platform: platform,
+          simulateAppStarted: false,
+        );
+
+        final Completer<void> launchCompleter = Completer<void>();
+         final FlutterLaunchRequestArguments launchArgs = FlutterLaunchRequestArguments(
+          cwd: '/project',
+          program: 'foo.dart',
+        );
+        final Completer<void> restartCompleter = Completer<void>();
+        final RestartArguments restartArgs = RestartArguments();
+
+        await adapter.configurationDoneRequest(MockRequest(), null, () {});
+        await adapter.launchRequest(MockRequest(), launchArgs, launchCompleter.complete);
+        await launchCompleter.future;
+        await adapter.restartRequest(MockRequest(), restartArgs, restartCompleter.complete);
+        await restartCompleter.future;
+
+        expect(adapter.dapToFlutterRequests, isNot(contains('app.restart')));
+      });
+
       test('includes Dart Debug extension progress update', () async {
         final MockFlutterDebugAdapter adapter = MockFlutterDebugAdapter(
           fileSystem: MemoryFileSystem.test(style: fsStyle),