diff --git a/services/backup/java/com/android/server/backup/BackupManagerService.java b/services/backup/java/com/android/server/backup/BackupManagerService.java
index e6f99c15ab661..6541252ccac12 100644
--- a/services/backup/java/com/android/server/backup/BackupManagerService.java
+++ b/services/backup/java/com/android/server/backup/BackupManagerService.java
@@ -2383,16 +2383,15 @@ public class BackupManagerService {
                         } catch (InterruptedException e) {
                             // just bail
                             Slog.w(TAG, "Interrupted: " + e);
-                            mActivityManager.clearPendingBackup();
-                            return null;
+                            mConnecting = false;
+                            mConnectedAgent = null;
                         }
                     }
 
                     // if we timed out with no connect, abort and move on
                     if (mConnecting == true) {
                         Slog.w(TAG, "Timeout waiting for agent " + app);
-                        mActivityManager.clearPendingBackup();
-                        return null;
+                        mConnectedAgent = null;
                     }
                     if (DEBUG) Slog.i(TAG, "got agent " + mConnectedAgent);
                     agent = mConnectedAgent;
@@ -2401,6 +2400,13 @@ public class BackupManagerService {
                 // can't happen - ActivityManager is local
             }
         }
+        if (agent == null) {
+            try {
+                mActivityManager.clearPendingBackup();
+            } catch (RemoteException e) {
+                // can't happen - ActivityManager is local
+            }
+        }
         return agent;
     }