diff --git a/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/OverviewCommandHelper.java b/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/OverviewCommandHelper.java
index 26d935d501..75e8dd1f7a 100644
--- a/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/OverviewCommandHelper.java
+++ b/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/OverviewCommandHelper.java
@@ -117,11 +117,12 @@ public class OverviewCommandHelper {
         mPendingCommands.clear();
     }
 
+    @Nullable
     private TaskView getNextTask(RecentsView view) {
         final TaskView runningTaskView = view.getRunningTaskView();
 
         if (runningTaskView == null) {
-            return view.getTaskViewCount() > 0 ? view.getTaskViewAt(0) : null;
+            return view.getTaskViewAt(0);
         } else {
             final TaskView nextTask = view.getNextTaskView();
             return nextTask != null ? nextTask : runningTaskView;
@@ -256,8 +257,8 @@ public class OverviewCommandHelper {
                 // Ensure that recents view has focus so that it receives the followup key inputs
                 TaskView taskView = rv.getNextTaskView();
                 if (taskView == null) {
-                    if (rv.getTaskViewCount() > 0) {
-                        taskView = rv.getTaskViewAt(0);
+                    taskView = rv.getTaskViewAt(0);
+                    if (taskView != null) {
                         taskView.requestFocus();
                     } else {
                         rv.requestFocus();