diff --git a/.changeset/chilled-flies-speak.md b/.changeset/chilled-flies-speak.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..fc647a4fd5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/chilled-flies-speak.md
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+'@backstage/core-api': patch
+---
+
+Changed the signature of `createRoutableExtension` to include null
diff --git a/packages/core-api/src/extensions/extensions.tsx b/packages/core-api/src/extensions/extensions.tsx
index c486bfd84a..191e4c4fb7 100644
--- a/packages/core-api/src/extensions/extensions.tsx
+++ b/packages/core-api/src/extensions/extensions.tsx
@@ -27,8 +27,11 @@ type ComponentLoader<T> =
       sync: T;
     };
 
+// We do not use ComponentType as the return type, since it doesn't let us convey the children prop.
+// ComponentType inserts children as an optional prop whether the inner component accepts it or not,
+// making it impossible to make the usage of children type safe.
 export function createRoutableExtension<
-  T extends (props: any) => JSX.Element
+  T extends (props: any) => JSX.Element | null
 >(options: {
   component: () => Promise<T>;
   mountPoint: RouteRef;
@@ -70,6 +73,9 @@ export function createComponentExtension<
   return createReactExtension({ component });
 }
 
+// We do not use ComponentType as the return type, since it doesn't let us convey the children prop.
+// ComponentType inserts children as an optional prop whether the inner component accepts it or not,
+// making it impossible to make the usage of children type safe.
 export function createReactExtension<
   T extends (props: any) => JSX.Element | null
 >(options: {