diff --git a/apps/settings/lib/Controller/AppSettingsController.php b/apps/settings/lib/Controller/AppSettingsController.php
index ccd0b418040eb..9416381ff4941 100644
--- a/apps/settings/lib/Controller/AppSettingsController.php
+++ b/apps/settings/lib/Controller/AppSettingsController.php
@@ -306,6 +306,10 @@ public function listApps(): JSONResponse {
 			$groups = [];
 			if (is_string($appData['groups'])) {
 				$groups = json_decode($appData['groups']);
+				// ensure 'groups' is an array
+				if (!is_array($groups)) {
+					$groups = [$groups];
+				}
 			}
 			$appData['groups'] = $groups;
 			$appData['canUnInstall'] = !$appData['active'] && $appData['removable'];