diff --git a/services/core/java/com/android/server/wm/DisplayContent.java b/services/core/java/com/android/server/wm/DisplayContent.java
index afe40b8d80164..86ef0d82c1d13 100644
--- a/services/core/java/com/android/server/wm/DisplayContent.java
+++ b/services/core/java/com/android/server/wm/DisplayContent.java
@@ -3437,9 +3437,10 @@ class DisplayContent extends WindowContainer<DisplayContent.DisplayChildWindowCo
                 "Proposed new IME target: " + target + " for display: " + getDisplayId());
 
         // Now, a special case -- if the last target's window is in the process of exiting, but
-        // not removed, keep on the last target to avoid IME flicker.
+        // not removed, keep on the last target to avoid IME flicker. The exception is if the
+        // current target is home since we want opening apps to become the IME target right away.
         if (curTarget != null && !curTarget.mRemoved && curTarget.isDisplayedLw()
-                && curTarget.isClosing()) {
+                && curTarget.isClosing() && !curTarget.isActivityTypeHome()) {
             if (DEBUG_INPUT_METHOD) Slog.v(TAG_WM, "Not changing target till current window is"
                     + " closing and not removed");
             return curTarget;