Here is a runnable REPL test page. A possible workaround is to render the Grid only if it has columns:
@{
if (GridColumns.Count() > 0)
{
<TelerikGrid Data="@Data">
<GridColumns>
@foreach (var column in GridColumns)
{
<GridColumn Field="@column.DataField"
ShowColumnMenu="false" Title="@column.DisplayName" Resizable="true" Width="500px">
<FooterTemplate>
foo
</FooterTemplate>
</GridColumn>
}
</GridColumns>
</TelerikGrid>
}
}