diff --git a/opengl/java/android/opengl/GLSurfaceView.java b/opengl/java/android/opengl/GLSurfaceView.java
index f37ec58fbe260..38ed9321653d5 100644
--- a/opengl/java/android/opengl/GLSurfaceView.java
+++ b/opengl/java/android/opengl/GLSurfaceView.java
@@ -547,7 +547,9 @@ public class GLSurfaceView extends SurfaceView implements SurfaceHolder.Callback
      */
     @Override
     public void surfaceRedrawNeeded(SurfaceHolder holder) {
-        mGLThread.requestRenderAndWait();
+        if (mGLThread != null) {
+            mGLThread.requestRenderAndWait();
+        }
     }