diff --git a/src/com/android/dialer/DialtactsActivity.java b/src/com/android/dialer/DialtactsActivity.java
index 6de1fdc..a6fb98c 100644
--- a/src/com/android/dialer/DialtactsActivity.java
+++ b/src/com/android/dialer/DialtactsActivity.java
@@ -787,7 +787,13 @@
             return;
         }
         if (clearDialpad) {
+            // Temporarily disable accessibility when we clear the dialpad, since it should be
+            // invisible and should not announce anything.
+            mDialpadFragment.getDigitsWidget().setImportantForAccessibility(
+                    View.IMPORTANT_FOR_ACCESSIBILITY_NO);
             mDialpadFragment.clearDialpad();
+            mDialpadFragment.getDigitsWidget().setImportantForAccessibility(
+                    View.IMPORTANT_FOR_ACCESSIBILITY_AUTO);
         }
         if (!mIsDialpadShown) {
             return;
diff --git a/src/com/android/dialer/calllog/CallLogNotificationsService.java b/src/com/android/dialer/calllog/CallLogNotificationsService.java
index 9a67b61..d2a494d 100644
--- a/src/com/android/dialer/calllog/CallLogNotificationsService.java
+++ b/src/com/android/dialer/calllog/CallLogNotificationsService.java
@@ -67,12 +67,6 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public void onCreate() {
-        super.onCreate();
-        mVoicemailQueryHandler = new VoicemailQueryHandler(this, getContentResolver());
-    }
-
-    @Override
     protected void onHandleIntent(Intent intent) {
         if (intent == null) {
             Log.d(TAG, "onHandleIntent: could not handle null intent");
@@ -84,6 +78,9 @@
         }
 
         if (ACTION_MARK_NEW_VOICEMAILS_AS_OLD.equals(intent.getAction())) {
+            if (mVoicemailQueryHandler == null) {
+                mVoicemailQueryHandler = new VoicemailQueryHandler(this, getContentResolver());
+            }
             mVoicemailQueryHandler.markNewVoicemailsAsOld();
         } else if (ACTION_UPDATE_NOTIFICATIONS.equals(intent.getAction())) {
             Uri voicemailUri = (Uri) intent.getParcelableExtra(EXTRA_NEW_VOICEMAIL_URI);