diff --git a/tests/net/java/com/android/server/IpSecServiceRefcountedResourceTest.java b/tests/net/java/com/android/server/IpSecServiceRefcountedResourceTest.java
index 68ff777..22a2c94 100644
--- a/tests/net/java/com/android/server/IpSecServiceRefcountedResourceTest.java
+++ b/tests/net/java/com/android/server/IpSecServiceRefcountedResourceTest.java
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
 
 import static org.junit.Assert.assertEquals;
 import static org.junit.Assert.assertNull;
+import static org.junit.Assert.fail;
 import static org.mockito.Matchers.anyInt;
 import static org.mockito.Matchers.anyObject;
 import static org.mockito.Matchers.eq;
@@ -134,11 +135,11 @@
         IBinder binderMock = mock(IBinder.class);
         doThrow(new RemoteException()).when(binderMock).linkToDeath(anyObject(), anyInt());
 
-        RefcountedResource<IResource> refcountedResource = getTestRefcountedResource(binderMock);
-
-        // Verify that cleanup is performed (Spy limitations prevent verification of method calls
-        // for binder death scenario; check refcount to determine if cleanup was performed.)
-        assertEquals(-1, refcountedResource.mRefCount);
+        try {
+            getTestRefcountedResource(binderMock);
+            fail("Expected exception to propogate when binder fails to link to death");
+        } catch (RuntimeException expected) {
+        }
     }
 
     @Test