diff --git a/packages/SystemUI/src/com/android/systemui/recents/grid/RecentsGridActivity.java b/packages/SystemUI/src/com/android/systemui/recents/grid/RecentsGridActivity.java
index 9ed492421f181..2c874bf9a39fa 100644
--- a/packages/SystemUI/src/com/android/systemui/recents/grid/RecentsGridActivity.java
+++ b/packages/SystemUI/src/com/android/systemui/recents/grid/RecentsGridActivity.java
@@ -302,6 +302,9 @@ public class RecentsGridActivity extends Activity implements ViewTreeObserver.On
             dismissRecentsToLaunchTargetTaskOrHome();
         } else if (event.triggeredFromHomeKey) {
             dismissRecentsToHome();
+        } else {
+            // Fall through tap on the background view but not on any of the tasks.
+            dismissRecentsToHome();
         }
     }