diff --git a/services/core/java/com/android/server/policy/PhoneWindowManager.java b/services/core/java/com/android/server/policy/PhoneWindowManager.java
index fd199a411b9a8..2579e56d7d1a8 100644
--- a/services/core/java/com/android/server/policy/PhoneWindowManager.java
+++ b/services/core/java/com/android/server/policy/PhoneWindowManager.java
@@ -725,6 +725,9 @@ public class PhoneWindowManager implements WindowManagerPolicy {
     // Behavior of Back button while in-call and screen on
     int mIncallBackBehavior;
 
+    // Whether system navigation keys are enabled
+    boolean mSystemNavigationKeysEnabled;
+
     Display mDisplay;
 
     private int mDisplayRotation;
@@ -989,6 +992,9 @@ public class PhoneWindowManager implements WindowManagerPolicy {
             resolver.registerContentObserver(Settings.Global.getUriFor(
                     Settings.Global.POLICY_CONTROL), false, this,
                     UserHandle.USER_ALL);
+            resolver.registerContentObserver(Settings.Global.getUriFor(
+                    Settings.Secure.SYSTEM_NAVIGATION_KEYS_ENABLED), false, this,
+                    UserHandle.USER_ALL);
             updateSettings();
         }
 
@@ -2320,6 +2326,9 @@ public class PhoneWindowManager implements WindowManagerPolicy {
                     Settings.Secure.INCALL_BACK_BUTTON_BEHAVIOR,
                     Settings.Secure.INCALL_BACK_BUTTON_BEHAVIOR_DEFAULT,
                     UserHandle.USER_CURRENT);
+            mSystemNavigationKeysEnabled = Settings.Secure.getIntForUser(resolver,
+                    Settings.Secure.SYSTEM_NAVIGATION_KEYS_ENABLED,
+                    0, UserHandle.USER_CURRENT) == 1;
 
             // Configure wake gesture.
             boolean wakeGestureEnabledSetting = Settings.Secure.getIntForUser(resolver,
@@ -6309,7 +6318,7 @@ public class PhoneWindowManager implements WindowManagerPolicy {
         if (event.getAction() == KeyEvent.ACTION_UP) {
             if (!mAccessibilityManager.isEnabled()
                     || !mAccessibilityManager.sendFingerprintGesture(event.getKeyCode())) {
-                if (areSystemNavigationKeysEnabled()) {
+                if (mSystemNavigationKeysEnabled) {
                     sendSystemKeyToStatusBarAsync(event.getKeyCode());
                 }
             }
@@ -7807,11 +7816,6 @@ public class PhoneWindowManager implements WindowManagerPolicy {
                 Settings.Global.THEATER_MODE_ON, 0) == 1;
     }
 
-    private boolean areSystemNavigationKeysEnabled() {
-        return Settings.Secure.getIntForUser(mContext.getContentResolver(),
-                Settings.Secure.SYSTEM_NAVIGATION_KEYS_ENABLED, 0, UserHandle.USER_CURRENT) == 1;
-    }
-
     @Override
     public boolean performHapticFeedbackLw(WindowState win, int effectId, boolean always) {
         if (!mVibrator.hasVibrator()) {