diff --git a/services/core/java/com/android/server/hdmi/HdmiControlService.java b/services/core/java/com/android/server/hdmi/HdmiControlService.java
index 1034b0a36781d..f2d72c0c73699 100644
--- a/services/core/java/com/android/server/hdmi/HdmiControlService.java
+++ b/services/core/java/com/android/server/hdmi/HdmiControlService.java
@@ -4689,7 +4689,9 @@ public class HdmiControlService extends SystemService {
     private int getEarcStatus() {
         assertRunOnServiceThread();
         if (mEarcLocalDevice != null) {
-            return mEarcLocalDevice.mEarcStatus;
+            synchronized (mLock) {
+                return mEarcLocalDevice.mEarcStatus;
+            }
         }
         return HDMI_EARC_STATUS_UNKNOWN;
     }