diff --git a/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/TaskViewUtils.java b/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/TaskViewUtils.java
index 499a2601a9..1238819acd 100644
--- a/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/TaskViewUtils.java
+++ b/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/TaskViewUtils.java
@@ -473,16 +473,14 @@ public final class TaskViewUtils {
                     throw new IllegalStateException(
                             "Expected task to be showing, but it is " + mode);
                 }
-                if (change.getParent() == null) {
-                    throw new IllegalStateException("Initiating multi-split launch but the split"
-                            + "root of " + taskId + " is already visible or has broken hierarchy.");
-                }
             }
             if (taskId == initialTaskId) {
-                splitRoot1 = transitionInfo.getChange(change.getParent());
+                splitRoot1 = change.getParent() == null ? change :
+                        transitionInfo.getChange(change.getParent());
             }
             if (taskId == secondTaskId) {
-                splitRoot2 = transitionInfo.getChange(change.getParent());
+                splitRoot2 = change.getParent() == null ? change :
+                        transitionInfo.getChange(change.getParent());
             }
         }