diff --git a/services/audioflinger/AudioFlinger.cpp b/services/audioflinger/AudioFlinger.cpp
index 1bac09e..91cf6ce 100644
--- a/services/audioflinger/AudioFlinger.cpp
+++ b/services/audioflinger/AudioFlinger.cpp
@@ -500,10 +500,12 @@
 
         track = thread->createTrack_l(client, streamType, sampleRate, format,
                 channelMask, frameCount, sharedBuffer, lSessionId, flags, tid, &lStatus);
+        // we don't abort yet if lStatus != NO_ERROR; there is still work to be done regardless
 
         // move effect chain to this output thread if an effect on same session was waiting
         // for a track to be created
         if (lStatus == NO_ERROR && effectThread != NULL) {
+            // no risk of deadlock because AudioFlinger::mLock is held
             Mutex::Autolock _dl(thread->mLock);
             Mutex::Autolock _sl(effectThread->mLock);
             moveEffectChain_l(lSessionId, effectThread, thread, true);
@@ -1269,7 +1271,7 @@
         goto Exit;
     }
 
-    // return to handle to client
+    // return handle to client
     recordHandle = new RecordHandle(recordTrack);
 
 Exit: