diff --git a/packages/SystemUI/src/com/android/systemui/recents/RecentsImpl.java b/packages/SystemUI/src/com/android/systemui/recents/RecentsImpl.java
index 55491b24e20d6..0650d6464195d 100644
--- a/packages/SystemUI/src/com/android/systemui/recents/RecentsImpl.java
+++ b/packages/SystemUI/src/com/android/systemui/recents/RecentsImpl.java
@@ -374,6 +374,10 @@ public class RecentsImpl implements ActivityOptions.OnAnimationFinishedListener
         MutableBoolean isHomeStackVisible = new MutableBoolean(true);
         if (!ssp.isRecentsActivityVisible(isHomeStackVisible)) {
             ActivityManager.RunningTaskInfo runningTask = ssp.getRunningTask();
+            if (runningTask == null) {
+                return;
+            }
+
             RecentsTaskLoader loader = Recents.getTaskLoader();
             sInstanceLoadPlan = loader.createLoadPlan(mContext);
             sInstanceLoadPlan.preloadRawTasks(!isHomeStackVisible.value);