diff --git a/libhwcomposer/hwc.cpp b/libhwcomposer/hwc.cpp
index 3026d99..df7f160 100644
--- a/libhwcomposer/hwc.cpp
+++ b/libhwcomposer/hwc.cpp
@@ -530,7 +530,7 @@
         }
         break;
     case HWC_DISPLAY_EXTERNAL:
-        if(mode == HWC_POWER_MODE_OFF) {
+        if(mode == HWC_POWER_MODE_OFF and ctx->dpyAttr[dpy].connected) {
             if(!Overlay::displayCommit(ctx->dpyAttr[dpy].fd)) {
                 ALOGE("%s: displayCommit failed for external", __FUNCTION__);
                 ret = -1;