diff --git a/common/system_state.cc b/common/system_state.cc
index 40bf760..cff1dfe 100644
--- a/common/system_state.cc
+++ b/common/system_state.cc
@@ -18,6 +18,6 @@
 
 namespace chromeos_update_engine {
 
-std::unique_ptr<SystemState> SystemState::g_instance_;
+SystemState* SystemState::g_pointer_ = nullptr;
 
 }  // namespace chromeos_update_engine
diff --git a/common/system_state.h b/common/system_state.h
index 84d026f..8a9c865 100644
--- a/common/system_state.h
+++ b/common/system_state.h
@@ -61,8 +61,8 @@
   virtual ~SystemState() = default;
 
   static SystemState* Get() {
-    CHECK(g_instance_);
-    return g_instance_.get();
+    CHECK(g_pointer_ != nullptr);
+    return g_pointer_;
   }
 
   // Sets or gets the latest device policy.
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@
   virtual DlcServiceInterface* dlcservice() = 0;
 
  protected:
-  static std::unique_ptr<SystemState> g_instance_;
+  static SystemState* g_pointer_;
 };
 
 }  // namespace chromeos_update_engine