diff --git a/services/java/com/android/server/SystemServer.java b/services/java/com/android/server/SystemServer.java
index 203704bf72243..6dd85270e7e8b 100644
--- a/services/java/com/android/server/SystemServer.java
+++ b/services/java/com/android/server/SystemServer.java
@@ -731,8 +731,13 @@ public final class SystemServer {
                     (int) SystemClock.elapsedRealtime());
         }
         traceBeginAndSlog("StartPackageManagerService");
-        mPackageManagerService = PackageManagerService.main(mSystemContext, installer,
-                mFactoryTestMode != FactoryTest.FACTORY_TEST_OFF, mOnlyCore);
+        try {
+            Watchdog.getInstance().pauseWatchingCurrentThread("packagemanagermain");
+            mPackageManagerService = PackageManagerService.main(mSystemContext, installer,
+                    mFactoryTestMode != FactoryTest.FACTORY_TEST_OFF, mOnlyCore);
+        } finally {
+            Watchdog.getInstance().resumeWatchingCurrentThread("packagemanagermain");
+        }
         mFirstBoot = mPackageManagerService.isFirstBoot();
         mPackageManager = mSystemContext.getPackageManager();
         traceEnd();