diff --git a/location/java/android/location/LocationManager.java b/location/java/android/location/LocationManager.java
index d3c6eddd02eb4..d194796ec1c58 100644
--- a/location/java/android/location/LocationManager.java
+++ b/location/java/android/location/LocationManager.java
@@ -1271,6 +1271,9 @@ public class LocationManager {
         final String allowedProviders = Settings.Secure.getStringForUser(
                 mContext.getContentResolver(), Settings.Secure.LOCATION_PROVIDERS_ALLOWED,
                 userHandle.getIdentifier());
+        if (allowedProviders == null) {
+            return false;
+        }
         final List<String> providerList = Arrays.asList(allowedProviders.split(","));
         for(String provider : getAllProviders()) {
             if (provider.equals(PASSIVE_PROVIDER)) {