diff --git a/services/core/java/com/android/server/am/ActivityStack.java b/services/core/java/com/android/server/am/ActivityStack.java
index edc333458c59a..60d3d1ec349b1 100644
--- a/services/core/java/com/android/server/am/ActivityStack.java
+++ b/services/core/java/com/android/server/am/ActivityStack.java
@@ -1308,7 +1308,9 @@ final class ActivityStack {
             // It is possible the activity was freezing the screen before it was paused.
             // In that case go ahead and remove the freeze this activity has on the screen
             // since it is no longer visible.
-            prev.stopFreezingScreenLocked(true /*force*/);
+            if (prev != null) {
+                prev.stopFreezingScreenLocked(true /*force*/);
+            }
             mPausingActivity = null;
         }