diff --git a/core/java/android/view/GLRenderer.java b/core/java/android/view/GLRenderer.java
index 40ad72ca5bffd..c1eb6b771c093 100644
--- a/core/java/android/view/GLRenderer.java
+++ b/core/java/android/view/GLRenderer.java
@@ -497,7 +497,9 @@ public class GLRenderer extends HardwareRenderer {
 
     @Override
     void onLayerDestroyed(HardwareLayer layer) {
-        mGlCanvas.cancelLayerUpdate(layer);
+        if (mGlCanvas != null) {
+            mGlCanvas.cancelLayerUpdate(layer);
+        }
         mAttachedLayers.remove(layer);
     }