diff --git a/packages/SystemUI/src/com/android/systemui/recents/views/RecentsTransitionHelper.java b/packages/SystemUI/src/com/android/systemui/recents/views/RecentsTransitionHelper.java
index ff3aef943c1de..d7eb09950a216 100644
--- a/packages/SystemUI/src/com/android/systemui/recents/views/RecentsTransitionHelper.java
+++ b/packages/SystemUI/src/com/android/systemui/recents/views/RecentsTransitionHelper.java
@@ -190,6 +190,9 @@ public class RecentsTransitionHelper {
                 };
             }
             try {
+                synchronized (this) {
+                    mAppTransitionAnimationSpecs = SPECS_WAITING;
+                }
                 WindowManagerGlobal.getWindowManagerService()
                         .overridePendingAppTransitionMultiThumbFuture(transitionFuture,
                                 callback, true /* scaleUp */);