diff --git a/packages/SystemUI/src/com/android/systemui/assist/AssistManager.java b/packages/SystemUI/src/com/android/systemui/assist/AssistManager.java
index 1bd8e0d2ce0f0..4ed28f92d5cb8 100644
--- a/packages/SystemUI/src/com/android/systemui/assist/AssistManager.java
+++ b/packages/SystemUI/src/com/android/systemui/assist/AssistManager.java
@@ -180,6 +180,10 @@ public class AssistManager implements ConfigurationChangedReceiver {
                     ? TIMEOUT_SERVICE
                     : TIMEOUT_ACTIVITY);
         }
+
+        if (args == null) {
+            args = new Bundle();
+        }
         args.putLong(INVOCATION_TIME_MS_KEY, SystemClock.uptimeMillis());
         startAssistInternal(args, assistComponent, isService);
     }