diff --git a/native/android/surface_control.cpp b/native/android/surface_control.cpp
index d07052b..7ee2f0a 100644
--- a/native/android/surface_control.cpp
+++ b/native/android/surface_control.cpp
@@ -411,7 +411,15 @@
 
     Region region;
     for (uint32_t i = 0; i < count; ++i) {
-        region.merge(static_cast<const Rect&>(rects[i]));
+        region.orSelf(static_cast<const Rect&>(rects[i]));
+    }
+
+    // Hardware composer interprets a DamageRegion with a single Rect of {0,0,0,0} to be an
+    // undamaged region and {0,0,-1,-1} to be a fully damaged buffer. This is a confusing
+    // distinction for a public api. Instead, default both cases to be a fully damaged buffer.
+    if (count == 1 && region.getBounds().isEmpty()) {
+        transaction->setSurfaceDamageRegion(surfaceControl, Region::INVALID_REGION);
+        return;
     }
 
     transaction->setSurfaceDamageRegion(surfaceControl, region);