diff --git a/quickstep/recents_ui_overrides/src/com/android/quickstep/BaseSwipeUpHandler.java b/quickstep/recents_ui_overrides/src/com/android/quickstep/BaseSwipeUpHandler.java
index 66f6d02024..5b396dd547 100644
--- a/quickstep/recents_ui_overrides/src/com/android/quickstep/BaseSwipeUpHandler.java
+++ b/quickstep/recents_ui_overrides/src/com/android/quickstep/BaseSwipeUpHandler.java
@@ -245,7 +245,9 @@ public abstract class BaseSwipeUpHandler<T extends StatefulActivity<?>, Q extend
     protected void onRestartLastAppearedTask() {
         // Finish the controller here, since we won't get onTaskAppeared() for a task that already
         // appeared.
-        mRecentsAnimationController.finish(false, null);
+        if (mRecentsAnimationController != null) {
+            mRecentsAnimationController.finish(false, null);
+        }
     }
 
     /**