diff --git a/services/audioflinger/AudioFlinger.cpp b/services/audioflinger/AudioFlinger.cpp
index 8033382..ea06b6c 100644
--- a/services/audioflinger/AudioFlinger.cpp
+++ b/services/audioflinger/AudioFlinger.cpp
@@ -3139,16 +3139,21 @@
         bool pinned = (sessionId > AUDIO_SESSION_OUTPUT_MIX) && isSessionAcquired_l(sessionId);
         handle = thread->createEffect_l(client, effectClient, priority, sessionId,
                 &desc, enabled, &lStatus, pinned);
-        if (handle != 0 && id != NULL) {
-            *id = handle->id();
-        }
-        if (handle == 0) {
+        if (lStatus != NO_ERROR && lStatus != ALREADY_EXISTS) {
             // remove local strong reference to Client with mClientLock held
             Mutex::Autolock _cl(mClientLock);
             client.clear();
+        } else {
+            // handle must be valid here, but check again to be safe.
+            if (handle.get() != nullptr && id != nullptr) *id = handle->id();
         }
     }
 
+    if (lStatus != NO_ERROR && lStatus != ALREADY_EXISTS) {
+        // handle must be cleared outside lock.
+        handle.clear();
+    }
+
 Exit:
     *status = lStatus;
     return handle;