diff --git a/core/java/android/os/PersistableBundle.java b/core/java/android/os/PersistableBundle.java
index e5e9b5f6f53cc..cad6e66888d96 100644
--- a/core/java/android/os/PersistableBundle.java
+++ b/core/java/android/os/PersistableBundle.java
@@ -316,7 +316,7 @@ public final class PersistableBundle extends BaseBundle implements Cloneable, Pa
                         new MyReadMapCallback()));
             }
         }
-        return EMPTY;
+        return new PersistableBundle();  // An empty mutable PersistableBundle
     }
 
     @Override