diff --git a/rootdir/init.rc b/rootdir/init.rc
index a839729..1575c10 100644
--- a/rootdir/init.rc
+++ b/rootdir/init.rc
@@ -180,6 +180,10 @@
     chown system system /dev/cpuset/foreground/boost/tasks
     chown system system /dev/cpuset/background/tasks
     chown system system /dev/cpuset/system-background/tasks
+
+    # set system-background to 0775 so SurfaceFlinger can touch it
+    chmod 0775 /dev/cpuset/system-background
+
     chmod 0664 /dev/cpuset/foreground/tasks
     chmod 0664 /dev/cpuset/foreground/boost/tasks
     chmod 0664 /dev/cpuset/background/tasks