diff --git a/core/java/android/os/PersistableBundle.java b/core/java/android/os/PersistableBundle.java
index 7a837e167fb06..339371b5047c2 100644
--- a/core/java/android/os/PersistableBundle.java
+++ b/core/java/android/os/PersistableBundle.java
@@ -302,7 +302,7 @@ public final class PersistableBundle extends BaseBundle implements Cloneable, Pa
                         new MyReadMapCallback()));
             }
         }
-        return EMPTY;
+        return new PersistableBundle();  // An empty mutable PersistableBundle
     }
 
     @Override