diff --git a/core/java/com/android/internal/widget/SwipeDismissLayout.java b/core/java/com/android/internal/widget/SwipeDismissLayout.java
index 97b1634f99cc7..7a4b23ad6ecf3 100644
--- a/core/java/com/android/internal/widget/SwipeDismissLayout.java
+++ b/core/java/com/android/internal/widget/SwipeDismissLayout.java
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
 package com.android.internal.widget;
 
 import android.animation.TimeInterpolator;
+import android.app.Activity;
 import android.content.Context;
 import android.util.AttributeSet;
 import android.util.Log;
@@ -102,6 +103,11 @@ public class SwipeDismissLayout extends FrameLayout {
                 android.R.integer.config_shortAnimTime);
         mCancelInterpolator = new DecelerateInterpolator(1.5f);
         mDismissInterpolator = new AccelerateInterpolator(1.5f);
+        // SwipeDismissLayout assumes that the host Activity is translucent
+        // and temporarily disables translucency when it is fully visible.
+        // As soon as the user starts swiping, we will re-enable
+        // translucency.
+        ((Activity) context).convertFromTranslucent();
     }
 
     public void setOnDismissedListener(OnDismissedListener listener) {
@@ -197,6 +203,7 @@ public class SwipeDismissLayout extends FrameLayout {
                 mLastX = ev.getRawX();
                 updateSwiping(ev);
                 if (mSwiping) {
+                    ((Activity) getContext()).convertToTranslucent(null, null);
                     setProgress(ev.getRawX() - mDownX);
                     break;
                 }
@@ -218,6 +225,7 @@ public class SwipeDismissLayout extends FrameLayout {
     }
 
     protected void cancel() {
+        ((Activity) getContext()).convertFromTranslucent();
         if (mProgressListener != null) {
             mProgressListener.onSwipeCancelled(this);
         }
diff --git a/core/res/res/values/themes_micro.xml b/core/res/res/values/themes_micro.xml
index 7e0467b3989e5..f1bc5dadae8d3 100644
--- a/core/res/res/values/themes_micro.xml
+++ b/core/res/res/values/themes_micro.xml
@@ -24,6 +24,8 @@
         <item name="windowBackground">@color/black</item>
         <item name="windowContentOverlay">@null</item>
         <item name="windowIsFloating">false</item>
+        <!-- We need the windows to be translucent for SwipeToDismiss layout
+             to work properly. -->
         <item name="windowIsTranslucent">true</item>
         <item name="windowSwipeToDismiss">true</item>
     </style>
@@ -38,6 +40,8 @@
         <item name="windowBackground">@color/white</item>
         <item name="windowContentOverlay">@null</item>
         <item name="windowIsFloating">false</item>
+        <!-- We need the windows to be translucent for SwipeToDismiss layout
+             to work properly. -->
         <item name="windowIsTranslucent">true</item>
         <item name="windowSwipeToDismiss">true</item>
     </style>