diff --git a/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/LauncherBackAnimationController.java b/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/LauncherBackAnimationController.java
index 7c24ba8fe6..1feed0b03a 100644
--- a/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/LauncherBackAnimationController.java
+++ b/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/LauncherBackAnimationController.java
@@ -287,7 +287,7 @@ public class LauncherBackAnimationController {
         mBackInProgress = true;
         RemoteAnimationTarget appTarget = backEvent.getDepartingAnimationTarget();
 
-        if (appTarget == null) {
+        if (appTarget == null || appTarget.leash == null || !appTarget.leash.isValid()) {
             return;
         }