diff --git a/core/java/android/text/method/TextKeyListener.java b/core/java/android/text/method/TextKeyListener.java
index 5be2a4866c4f8..0c12c55b012b4 100644
--- a/core/java/android/text/method/TextKeyListener.java
+++ b/core/java/android/text/method/TextKeyListener.java
@@ -246,8 +246,11 @@ public class TextKeyListener extends BaseKeyListener implements SpanWatcher {
     private void initPrefs(Context context) {
         final ContentResolver contentResolver = context.getContentResolver();
         mResolver = new WeakReference<ContentResolver>(contentResolver);
-        mObserver = new SettingsObserver();
-        contentResolver.registerContentObserver(Settings.System.CONTENT_URI, true, mObserver);
+
+        if (mObserver == null) {
+            mObserver = new SettingsObserver();
+            contentResolver.registerContentObserver(Settings.System.CONTENT_URI, true, mObserver);
+        }
 
         updatePrefs(contentResolver);
         mPrefsInited = true;