diff --git a/src/BizHawk.Client.EmuHawk/FormBase.cs b/src/BizHawk.Client.EmuHawk/FormBase.cs
index d3d67ba35c..20fbffeb7d 100644
--- a/src/BizHawk.Client.EmuHawk/FormBase.cs
+++ b/src/BizHawk.Client.EmuHawk/FormBase.cs
@@ -21,10 +21,12 @@ namespace BizHawk.Client.EmuHawk
 			set => throw new InvalidOperationException("window title can only be changed by calling " + nameof(UpdateWindowTitle) + " (which calls " + nameof(WindowTitle) + " getter)");
 		}
 
-		protected virtual string WindowTitle => WindowTitleStatic;
-
+		protected virtual string WindowTitle => WindowTitleStatic;
+
 		/// <remarks>To enforce the "static title" semantics for implementations, this getter will be called once and cached.</remarks>
-		protected virtual string WindowTitleStatic => GetType().Name;
+		protected virtual string WindowTitleStatic => DesignMode
+			? $"(will take value from WindowTitle/WindowTitleStatic)"
+			: throw new NotImplementedException("you have to implement this; the Designer prevents this from being an abstract method");
 
 		protected override void OnLoad(EventArgs e)
 		{