diff --git a/media/libmedia/AudioSystem.cpp b/media/libmedia/AudioSystem.cpp
index 3486d21..1742fbe 100644
--- a/media/libmedia/AudioSystem.cpp
+++ b/media/libmedia/AudioSystem.cpp
@@ -582,9 +582,13 @@
         }
         binder->linkToDeath(gAudioPolicyServiceClient);
         gAudioPolicyService = interface_cast<IAudioPolicyService>(binder);
-        gAudioPolicyService->registerClient(gAudioPolicyServiceClient);
         gLock.unlock();
+        // Registering the client takes the AudioPolicyService lock.
+        // Don't hold the AudioSystem lock at the same time.
+        gAudioPolicyService->registerClient(gAudioPolicyServiceClient);
     } else {
+        // There exists a benign race condition where gAudioPolicyService
+        // is set, but gAudioPolicyServiceClient is not yet registered.
         gLock.unlock();
     }
     return gAudioPolicyService;