diff --git a/libs/renderengine/gl/ProgramCache.cpp b/libs/renderengine/gl/ProgramCache.cpp
index 7fc0499..5ff9240 100644
--- a/libs/renderengine/gl/ProgramCache.cpp
+++ b/libs/renderengine/gl/ProgramCache.cpp
@@ -740,15 +740,6 @@
         if (needs.isOpaque()) {
             fs << "gl_FragColor.a = 1.0;";
         }
-        if (needs.hasAlpha()) {
-            // modulate the current alpha value with alpha set
-            if (needs.isPremultiplied()) {
-                // ... and the color too if we're premultiplied
-                fs << "gl_FragColor *= color.a;";
-            } else {
-                fs << "gl_FragColor.a *= color.a;";
-            }
-        }
     }
 
     if (needs.hasTransformMatrix() || (needs.getInputTF() != needs.getOutputTF()) ||
@@ -768,6 +759,23 @@
         }
     }
 
+    /*
+     * Whether applying layer alpha before or after color transform doesn't matter,
+     * as long as we can undo premultiplication. But we cannot un-premultiply
+     * for color transform if the layer alpha = 0, e.g. 0 / (0 + 0.0019) = 0.
+     */
+    if (!needs.drawShadows()) {
+        if (needs.hasAlpha()) {
+            // modulate the current alpha value with alpha set
+            if (needs.isPremultiplied()) {
+                // ... and the color too if we're premultiplied
+                fs << "gl_FragColor *= color.a;";
+            } else {
+                fs << "gl_FragColor.a *= color.a;";
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
     if (needs.hasRoundedCorners()) {
         if (needs.isPremultiplied()) {
             fs << "gl_FragColor *= vec4(applyCornerRadius(outCropCoords));";