diff --git a/services/core/java/com/android/server/wm/DisplayContent.java b/services/core/java/com/android/server/wm/DisplayContent.java
index ecb9fe3a00ccf..96e50195810af 100644
--- a/services/core/java/com/android/server/wm/DisplayContent.java
+++ b/services/core/java/com/android/server/wm/DisplayContent.java
@@ -946,7 +946,7 @@ class DisplayContent extends RootDisplayArea implements WindowManagerPolicy.Disp
 
                 final int preferredModeId = getDisplayPolicy().getRefreshRatePolicy()
                         .getPreferredModeId(w);
-                if (mTmpApplySurfaceChangesTransactionState.preferredModeId == 0
+                if (w.isFocused() && mTmpApplySurfaceChangesTransactionState.preferredModeId == 0
                         && preferredModeId != 0) {
                     mTmpApplySurfaceChangesTransactionState.preferredModeId = preferredModeId;
                 }