diff --git a/app/src/main/java/org/schabi/newpipe/error/ErrorUtil.kt b/app/src/main/java/org/schabi/newpipe/error/ErrorUtil.kt
index 3fd743c69..e4dd2e16d 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/org/schabi/newpipe/error/ErrorUtil.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/org/schabi/newpipe/error/ErrorUtil.kt
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 package org.schabi.newpipe.error
 
 import android.app.Activity
-import android.app.NotificationManager
 import android.app.PendingIntent
 import android.content.Context
 import android.content.Intent
@@ -10,7 +9,7 @@ import android.os.Build
 import android.view.View
 import android.widget.Toast
 import androidx.core.app.NotificationCompat
-import androidx.core.content.ContextCompat
+import androidx.core.app.NotificationManagerCompat
 import androidx.fragment.app.Fragment
 import com.google.android.material.snackbar.Snackbar
 import org.schabi.newpipe.R
@@ -105,13 +104,6 @@ class ErrorUtil {
          */
         @JvmStatic
         fun createNotification(context: Context, errorInfo: ErrorInfo) {
-            val notificationManager =
-                ContextCompat.getSystemService(context, NotificationManager::class.java)
-            if (notificationManager == null) {
-                // this should never happen, but just in case open error activity
-                openActivity(context, errorInfo)
-            }
-
             var pendingIntentFlags = PendingIntent.FLAG_UPDATE_CURRENT
             if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.M) {
                 pendingIntentFlags = pendingIntentFlags or PendingIntent.FLAG_IMMUTABLE
@@ -122,7 +114,13 @@ class ErrorUtil {
                     context,
                     context.getString(R.string.error_report_channel_id)
                 )
-                    .setSmallIcon(R.drawable.ic_bug_report)
+                    .setSmallIcon(
+                        // the vector drawable icon causes crashes on KitKat devices
+                        if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.LOLLIPOP)
+                            R.drawable.ic_bug_report
+                        else
+                            android.R.drawable.stat_notify_error
+                    )
                     .setContentTitle(context.getString(R.string.error_report_notification_title))
                     .setContentText(context.getString(errorInfo.messageStringId))
                     .setAutoCancel(true)
@@ -135,7 +133,8 @@ class ErrorUtil {
                         )
                     )
 
-            notificationManager!!.notify(ERROR_REPORT_NOTIFICATION_ID, notificationBuilder.build())
+            NotificationManagerCompat.from(context)
+                .notify(ERROR_REPORT_NOTIFICATION_ID, notificationBuilder.build())
 
             // since the notification is silent, also show a toast, otherwise the user is confused
             Toast.makeText(context, R.string.error_report_notification_toast, Toast.LENGTH_SHORT)