diff --git a/services/vr/hardware_composer/impl/vr_hwc.cpp b/services/vr/hardware_composer/impl/vr_hwc.cpp
index 313c022..11ffc3f 100644
--- a/services/vr/hardware_composer/impl/vr_hwc.cpp
+++ b/services/vr/hardware_composer/impl/vr_hwc.cpp
@@ -868,7 +868,7 @@
 
   Error status = Error::NONE;
   sp<VrComposerClient> client;
-  if (client_ == nullptr) {
+  if (!client_.promote().get()) {
     client = new VrComposerClient(*this);
   } else {
     ALOGE("Already have a client");