diff --git a/services/core/java/com/android/server/policy/PhoneWindowManager.java b/services/core/java/com/android/server/policy/PhoneWindowManager.java
index 173a651ecb4e7..a0e4f4f285685 100644
--- a/services/core/java/com/android/server/policy/PhoneWindowManager.java
+++ b/services/core/java/com/android/server/policy/PhoneWindowManager.java
@@ -724,6 +724,9 @@ public class PhoneWindowManager implements WindowManagerPolicy {
     // Behavior of rotation suggestions. (See Settings.Secure.SHOW_ROTATION_SUGGESTION)
     int mShowRotationSuggestions;
 
+    // Whether system navigation keys are enabled
+    boolean mSystemNavigationKeysEnabled;
+
     Display mDisplay;
 
     int mLandscapeRotation = 0;  // default landscape rotation
@@ -995,6 +998,9 @@ public class PhoneWindowManager implements WindowManagerPolicy {
             resolver.registerContentObserver(Settings.Global.getUriFor(
                     Settings.Global.POLICY_CONTROL), false, this,
                     UserHandle.USER_ALL);
+            resolver.registerContentObserver(Settings.Global.getUriFor(
+                    Settings.Secure.SYSTEM_NAVIGATION_KEYS_ENABLED), false, this,
+                    UserHandle.USER_ALL);
             updateSettings();
         }
 
@@ -2370,6 +2376,9 @@ public class PhoneWindowManager implements WindowManagerPolicy {
                     Settings.Secure.INCALL_BACK_BUTTON_BEHAVIOR,
                     Settings.Secure.INCALL_BACK_BUTTON_BEHAVIOR_DEFAULT,
                     UserHandle.USER_CURRENT);
+            mSystemNavigationKeysEnabled = Settings.Secure.getIntForUser(resolver,
+                    Settings.Secure.SYSTEM_NAVIGATION_KEYS_ENABLED,
+                    0, UserHandle.USER_CURRENT) == 1;
 
             // Configure rotation suggestions.
             int showRotationSuggestions = Settings.Secure.getIntForUser(resolver,
@@ -6235,7 +6244,7 @@ public class PhoneWindowManager implements WindowManagerPolicy {
         if (event.getAction() == KeyEvent.ACTION_UP) {
             if (!mAccessibilityManager.isEnabled()
                     || !mAccessibilityManager.sendFingerprintGesture(event.getKeyCode())) {
-                if (areSystemNavigationKeysEnabled()) {
+                if (mSystemNavigationKeysEnabled) {
                     sendSystemKeyToStatusBarAsync(event.getKeyCode());
                 }
             }
@@ -7827,11 +7836,6 @@ public class PhoneWindowManager implements WindowManagerPolicy {
                 Settings.Global.THEATER_MODE_ON, 0) == 1;
     }
 
-    private boolean areSystemNavigationKeysEnabled() {
-        return Settings.Secure.getIntForUser(mContext.getContentResolver(),
-                Settings.Secure.SYSTEM_NAVIGATION_KEYS_ENABLED, 0, UserHandle.USER_CURRENT) == 1;
-    }
-
     @Override
     public boolean performHapticFeedbackLw(WindowState win, int effectId, boolean always) {
         if (!mVibrator.hasVibrator()) {