diff --git a/wp-admin/customize.php b/wp-admin/customize.php
index fd05538bbc..e37d935dba 100644
--- a/wp-admin/customize.php
+++ b/wp-admin/customize.php
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ do_action( 'customize_controls_print_scripts' );
 				<span class="controls"><?php _e( 'Customize' ); ?></span>
 				<span class="preview"><?php _e( 'Preview' ); ?></span>
 			</button>
-			<a class="customize-controls-close" href="<?php echo esc_url( $wp_customize->get_return_url() ); ?>">
+			<a class="customize-controls-close" href="<?php echo esc_url( admin_url( 'themes.php' ) ); ?>">
 				<span class="screen-reader-text"><?php _e( 'Close the Customizer and go back to the previous page' ); ?></span>
 			</a>
 		</div>