diff --git a/services/surfaceflinger/Layer.cpp b/services/surfaceflinger/Layer.cpp
index fde8e67..0f7d639 100644
--- a/services/surfaceflinger/Layer.cpp
+++ b/services/surfaceflinger/Layer.cpp
@@ -142,7 +142,8 @@
 
 sp<LayerBaseClient::Surface> Layer::createSurface() const
 {
-    return mSurface;
+    sp<Surface> sur(new SurfaceLayer(mFlinger, const_cast<Layer *>(this)));
+    return sur;
 }
 
 status_t Layer::ditch()
@@ -152,9 +153,6 @@
     // the layer is not on screen anymore. free as much resources as possible
     mFreezeLock.clear();
 
-    // Free our own reference to ISurface
-    mSurface.clear();
-
     Mutex::Autolock _l(mLock);
     mWidth = mHeight = 0;
     return NO_ERROR;
@@ -202,7 +200,6 @@
     int layerRedsize = info.getSize(PixelFormatInfo::INDEX_RED);
     mNeedsDithering = layerRedsize > displayRedSize;
 
-    mSurface = new SurfaceLayer(mFlinger, this);
     return NO_ERROR;
 }