diff --git a/services/core/java/com/android/server/am/ActivityRecord.java b/services/core/java/com/android/server/am/ActivityRecord.java
index 47c3e6f80996c..a2fb9f9c2af7e 100644
--- a/services/core/java/com/android/server/am/ActivityRecord.java
+++ b/services/core/java/com/android/server/am/ActivityRecord.java
@@ -1802,6 +1802,9 @@ final class ActivityRecord implements AppWindowContainerListener {
     }
 
     void showStartingWindow(ActivityRecord prev, boolean newTask, boolean taskSwitch) {
+        if (mWindowContainerController == null) {
+            return;
+        }
         final CompatibilityInfo compatInfo =
                 service.compatibilityInfoForPackageLocked(info.applicationInfo);
         final boolean shown = mWindowContainerController.addStartingWindow(packageName, theme,