diff --git a/packages/SystemUI/shared/src/com/android/systemui/shared/system/RemoteAnimationTargetCompat.java b/packages/SystemUI/shared/src/com/android/systemui/shared/system/RemoteAnimationTargetCompat.java
index c1d9d0d0e142e..4ec65d8328516 100644
--- a/packages/SystemUI/shared/src/com/android/systemui/shared/system/RemoteAnimationTargetCompat.java
+++ b/packages/SystemUI/shared/src/com/android/systemui/shared/system/RemoteAnimationTargetCompat.java
@@ -282,7 +282,9 @@ public class RemoteAnimationTargetCompat {
      * @see SurfaceControl#release()
      */
     public void release() {
-        leash.mSurfaceControl.release();
+        if (leash.mSurfaceControl != null) {
+            leash.mSurfaceControl.release();
+        }
         if (mStartLeash != null) {
             mStartLeash.release();
         }