diff --git a/light/aidl/main.cpp b/light/aidl/main.cpp
index 5bab50d7..95cb6d85 100644
--- a/light/aidl/main.cpp
+++ b/light/aidl/main.cpp
@@ -24,6 +24,9 @@ using ::aidl::android::hardware::light::Lights;
 int main() {
     ABinderProcess_setThreadPoolMaxThreadCount(0);
     std::shared_ptr<Lights> lights = ndk::SharedRefBase::make<Lights>();
+    if (!lights) {
+        return EXIT_FAILURE;
+    }
 
     const std::string instance = std::string() + Lights::descriptor + "/default";
     binder_status_t status = AServiceManager_addService(lights->asBinder().get(), instance.c_str());