diff --git a/android/config.go b/android/config.go
index 979f1ca..8494626 100644
--- a/android/config.go
+++ b/android/config.go
@@ -1369,6 +1369,11 @@
 		}
 	}
 	if coverage && len(c.config.productVariables.NativeCoverageExcludePaths) > 0 {
+		// Workaround coverage boot failure.
+		// http://b/269981180
+		if strings.HasPrefix(path, "external/protobuf") {
+			coverage = false
+		}
 		if HasAnyPrefix(path, c.config.productVariables.NativeCoverageExcludePaths) {
 			coverage = false
 		}