diff --git a/services/surfaceflinger/Client.cpp b/services/surfaceflinger/Client.cpp
index 508be13..e54b460 100644
--- a/services/surfaceflinger/Client.cpp
+++ b/services/surfaceflinger/Client.cpp
@@ -76,9 +76,18 @@
                                uint32_t flags, const sp<IBinder>& parentHandle,
                                LayerMetadata metadata, sp<IBinder>* handle,
                                sp<IGraphicBufferProducer>* gbp) {
+    sp<Layer> parent = nullptr;
+    if (parentHandle != nullptr) {
+        auto layerHandle = reinterpret_cast<Layer::Handle*>(parentHandle.get());
+        parent = layerHandle->owner.promote();
+        if (parent == nullptr) {
+            return NAME_NOT_FOUND;
+        }
+    }
+
     // We rely on createLayer to check permissions.
     return mFlinger->createLayer(name, this, w, h, format, flags, std::move(metadata), handle, gbp,
-                                 parentHandle);
+                                 &parent);
 }
 
 status_t Client::createWithSurfaceParent(const String8& name, uint32_t w, uint32_t h,