diff --git a/graphics/java/android/graphics/Shader.java b/graphics/java/android/graphics/Shader.java
index 0209cea4e2e51..40288f5ec8af3 100644
--- a/graphics/java/android/graphics/Shader.java
+++ b/graphics/java/android/graphics/Shader.java
@@ -159,8 +159,10 @@ public class Shader {
         if (mNativeInstance == 0) {
             mNativeInstance = createNativeInstance(mLocalMatrix == null
                     ? 0 : mLocalMatrix.native_instance);
-            mCleaner = NoImagePreloadHolder.sRegistry.registerNativeAllocation(
-                    this, mNativeInstance);
+            if (mNativeInstance != 0) {
+                mCleaner = NoImagePreloadHolder.sRegistry.registerNativeAllocation(
+                        this, mNativeInstance);
+            }
         }
         return mNativeInstance;
     }