diff --git a/graphics/java/android/graphics/drawable/RippleDrawable.java b/graphics/java/android/graphics/drawable/RippleDrawable.java
index d3cff5cb81ff..7354c90c5c98 100644
--- a/graphics/java/android/graphics/drawable/RippleDrawable.java
+++ b/graphics/java/android/graphics/drawable/RippleDrawable.java
@@ -49,7 +49,9 @@ import android.graphics.RecordingCanvas;
 import android.graphics.Rect;
 import android.graphics.Shader;
 import android.os.Build;
+import android.os.Looper;
 import android.util.AttributeSet;
+import android.util.Log;
 import android.view.animation.AnimationUtils;
 import android.view.animation.LinearInterpolator;
 
@@ -113,6 +115,7 @@ import java.util.Arrays;
  * @attr ref android.R.styleable#RippleDrawable_color
  */
 public class RippleDrawable extends LayerDrawable {
+    private static final String TAG = "RippleDrawable";
     /**
      * Radius value that specifies the ripple radius should be computed based
      * on the size of the ripple's container.
@@ -848,6 +851,10 @@ public class RippleDrawable extends LayerDrawable {
 
     private void startBackgroundAnimation() {
         mRunBackgroundAnimation = false;
+        if (Looper.myLooper() == null) {
+            Log.w(TAG, "Thread doesn't have a looper. Skipping animation.");
+            return;
+        }
         mBackgroundAnimation = ValueAnimator.ofFloat(mBackgroundOpacity, mTargetBackgroundOpacity);
         mBackgroundAnimation.setInterpolator(LINEAR_INTERPOLATOR);
         mBackgroundAnimation.setDuration(BACKGROUND_OPACITY_DURATION);