diff --git a/core/java/android/view/SurfaceView.java b/core/java/android/view/SurfaceView.java
index 2c33b60b98b51..2bb5f28e6bec8 100644
--- a/core/java/android/view/SurfaceView.java
+++ b/core/java/android/view/SurfaceView.java
@@ -678,9 +678,16 @@ public class SurfaceView extends View implements ViewRootImpl.WindowStoppedCallb
                 } finally {
                     mIsCreating = false;
                     if (mSurfaceControl != null && !mSurfaceCreated) {
-                        mSurfaceControl.destroy();
                         mSurface.release();
-                        mSurfaceControl = null;
+                        // If we are not in the stopped state, then the destruction of the Surface
+                        // represents a visual change we need to display, and we should go ahead
+                        // and destroy the SurfaceControl. However if we are in the stopped state,
+                        // we can just leave the Surface around so it can be a part of animations,
+                        // and we let the life-time be tied to the parent surface.
+                        if (!mWindowStopped) {
+                            mSurfaceControl.destroy();
+                            mSurfaceControl = null;
+                        }
                     }
                 }
             } catch (Exception ex) {