diff --git a/services/core/java/com/android/server/wm/WindowContainer.java b/services/core/java/com/android/server/wm/WindowContainer.java
index eab391ed74ce9..19c5a3d6452a9 100644
--- a/services/core/java/com/android/server/wm/WindowContainer.java
+++ b/services/core/java/com/android/server/wm/WindowContainer.java
@@ -922,6 +922,10 @@ class WindowContainer<E extends WindowContainer> extends ConfigurationContainer<
      * @return Whether this WindowContainer should be magnified by the accessibility magnifier.
      */
     boolean shouldMagnify() {
+        if (mSurfaceControl == null) {
+            return false;
+        }
+
         for (int i = 0; i < mChildren.size(); i++) {
             if (!mChildren.get(i).shouldMagnify()) {
                 return false;