diff --git a/services/core/java/com/android/server/pm/PreferredActivityHelper.java b/services/core/java/com/android/server/pm/PreferredActivityHelper.java
index 2b092b9a257cc..8655d0d8deed5 100644
--- a/services/core/java/com/android/server/pm/PreferredActivityHelper.java
+++ b/services/core/java/com/android/server/pm/PreferredActivityHelper.java
@@ -649,6 +649,7 @@ final class PreferredActivityHelper {
             final Iterator<PreferredActivity> it = pir.filterIterator();
             while (it.hasNext()) {
                 final PreferredActivity pa = it.next();
+                if (pa == null) continue;
                 final String prefPackageName = pa.mPref.mComponent.getPackageName();
                 if (packageName == null
                         || (prefPackageName.equals(packageName) && pa.mPref.mAlways)) {