diff --git a/graphics/composer/2.1/default/Hwc.cpp b/graphics/composer/2.1/default/Hwc.cpp
index 8ca0eb3351..862dff138e 100644
--- a/graphics/composer/2.1/default/Hwc.cpp
+++ b/graphics/composer/2.1/default/Hwc.cpp
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
 
 #include "Hwc.h"
 
+#include <chrono>
 #include <type_traits>
 #include <log/log.h>
 
@@ -25,6 +26,8 @@
 #include "hardware/hwcomposer.h"
 #include "hwc2on1adapter/HWC2On1Adapter.h"
 
+using namespace std::chrono_literals;
+
 namespace android {
 namespace hardware {
 namespace graphics {
@@ -218,7 +221,24 @@ Return<void> HwcHal::createClient(createClient_cb hidl_cb)
     sp<ComposerClient> client;
 
     {
-        std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(mClientMutex);
+        std::unique_lock<std::mutex> lock(mClientMutex);
+
+        if (mClient != nullptr) {
+            // In surface flinger we delete a composer client on one thread and
+            // then create a new client on another thread. Although surface
+            // flinger ensures the calls are made in that sequence (destroy and
+            // then create), sometimes the calls land in the composer service
+            // inverted (create and then destroy). Wait for a brief period to
+            // see if the existing client is destroyed.
+            ALOGI("HwcHal::createClient: Client already exists. Waiting for"
+                    " it to be destroyed.");
+            mClientDestroyedWait.wait_for(lock, 1s,
+                    [this] { return mClient == nullptr; });
+            std::string doneMsg = mClient == nullptr ?
+                    "Existing client was destroyed." :
+                    "Existing client was never destroyed!";
+            ALOGI("HwcHal::createClient: Done waiting. %s", doneMsg.c_str());
+        }
 
         // only one client is allowed
         if (mClient == nullptr) {
@@ -245,6 +265,7 @@ void HwcHal::removeClient()
 {
     std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(mClientMutex);
     mClient = nullptr;
+    mClientDestroyedWait.notify_all();
 }
 
 void HwcHal::hotplugHook(hwc2_callback_data_t callbackData,
diff --git a/graphics/composer/2.1/default/Hwc.h b/graphics/composer/2.1/default/Hwc.h
index b45389ad82..756132759c 100644
--- a/graphics/composer/2.1/default/Hwc.h
+++ b/graphics/composer/2.1/default/Hwc.h
@@ -17,8 +17,9 @@
 #ifndef ANDROID_HARDWARE_GRAPHICS_COMPOSER_V2_1_HWC_H
 #define ANDROID_HARDWARE_GRAPHICS_COMPOSER_V2_1_HWC_H
 
-#include <mutex>
+#include <condition_variable>
 #include <memory>
+#include <mutex>
 #include <unordered_set>
 #include <vector>
 
@@ -211,6 +212,7 @@ private:
     } mDispatch;
 
     std::mutex mClientMutex;
+    std::condition_variable mClientDestroyedWait;
     wp<ComposerClient> mClient;
 
     // If the HWC implementation version is < 2.0, use an adapter to interface