diff --git a/libs/binder/Binder.cpp b/libs/binder/Binder.cpp
index 0dd7622..9945f91 100644
--- a/libs/binder/Binder.cpp
+++ b/libs/binder/Binder.cpp
@@ -69,8 +69,6 @@
 
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-String16 BBinder::sEmptyDescriptor;
-
 BBinder::BBinder()
     : mExtras(NULL)
 {
@@ -88,6 +86,9 @@
 
 const String16& BBinder::getInterfaceDescriptor() const
 {
+    // This is a local static rather than a global static,
+    // to avoid static initializer ordering issues.
+    static String16 sEmptyDescriptor;
     LOGW("reached BBinder::getInterfaceDescriptor (this=%p)", this);
     return sEmptyDescriptor;
 }