diff --git a/services/core/java/com/android/server/wm/DisplayHashController.java b/services/core/java/com/android/server/wm/DisplayHashController.java
index 64a57588113c7..543d4ad6b507a 100644
--- a/services/core/java/com/android/server/wm/DisplayHashController.java
+++ b/services/core/java/com/android/server/wm/DisplayHashController.java
@@ -369,9 +369,6 @@ public class DisplayHashController {
             if (mServiceConnection == null) {
                 if (DEBUG) Slog.v(TAG, "creating connection");
 
-                // Create the connection
-                mServiceConnection = new DisplayHashingServiceConnection();
-
                 final ComponentName component = getServiceComponentName();
                 if (DEBUG) Slog.v(TAG, "binding to: " + component);
                 if (component != null) {
@@ -379,6 +376,8 @@ public class DisplayHashController {
                     intent.setComponent(component);
                     final long token = Binder.clearCallingIdentity();
                     try {
+                        // Create the connection
+                        mServiceConnection = new DisplayHashingServiceConnection();
                         mContext.bindService(intent, mServiceConnection, Context.BIND_AUTO_CREATE);
                         if (DEBUG) Slog.v(TAG, "bound");
                     } finally {
@@ -387,7 +386,9 @@ public class DisplayHashController {
                 }
             }
 
-            mServiceConnection.runCommandLocked(command);
+            if (mServiceConnection != null) {
+                mServiceConnection.runCommandLocked(command);
+            }
         }
     }