diff --git a/services/core/java/com/android/server/wm/Task.java b/services/core/java/com/android/server/wm/Task.java
index 5c33e6470024b..99d3cc0737d11 100644
--- a/services/core/java/com/android/server/wm/Task.java
+++ b/services/core/java/com/android/server/wm/Task.java
@@ -5652,7 +5652,7 @@ class Task extends TaskFragment {
                     (deferred) -> {
                         // Need to check again if deferred since the system might
                         // be in a different state.
-                        if (deferred && !canMoveTaskToBack(tr)) {
+                        if (!isAttached() || (deferred && !canMoveTaskToBack(tr))) {
                             Slog.e(TAG, "Failed to move task to back after saying we could: "
                                     + tr.mTaskId);
                             transition.abort();