diff --git a/packages/SystemUI/src/com/android/systemui/statusbar/phone/ScrimController.java b/packages/SystemUI/src/com/android/systemui/statusbar/phone/ScrimController.java
index b8aea9b2cd59d..4c5bbce052610 100644
--- a/packages/SystemUI/src/com/android/systemui/statusbar/phone/ScrimController.java
+++ b/packages/SystemUI/src/com/android/systemui/statusbar/phone/ScrimController.java
@@ -561,7 +561,7 @@ public class ScrimController implements ViewTreeObserver.OnPreDrawListener, OnCo
     }
 
     protected void scheduleUpdate() {
-        if (mUpdatePending) return;
+        if (mUpdatePending || mScrimBehind == null) return;
 
         // Make sure that a frame gets scheduled.
         mScrimBehind.invalidate();