diff --git a/core/java/android/preference/VolumePreference.java b/core/java/android/preference/VolumePreference.java
index 46cce52d4b48b..b337d2803cfd1 100644
--- a/core/java/android/preference/VolumePreference.java
+++ b/core/java/android/preference/VolumePreference.java
@@ -78,6 +78,8 @@ public class VolumePreference extends SeekBarPreference implements
     }
 
     public boolean onKey(View v, int keyCode, KeyEvent event) {
+        // If key arrives immediately after the activity has been cleaned up.
+        if (mSeekBarVolumizer == null) return true;
         boolean isdown = (event.getAction() == KeyEvent.ACTION_DOWN);
         switch (keyCode) {
             case KeyEvent.KEYCODE_VOLUME_DOWN: