diff --git a/services/surfaceflinger/SurfaceFlinger.cpp b/services/surfaceflinger/SurfaceFlinger.cpp
index c63d0cf14..aba701ca8 100644
--- a/services/surfaceflinger/SurfaceFlinger.cpp
+++ b/services/surfaceflinger/SurfaceFlinger.cpp
@@ -137,15 +137,8 @@ void SurfaceFlinger::binderDied(const wp<IBinder>& who)
 {
     // the window manager died on us. prepare its eulogy.
 
-    // reset screen orientation
-    Vector<ComposerState> state;
-    Vector<DisplayState> displays;
-    DisplayState d;
-    d.what = DisplayState::eOrientationChanged;
-    d.token = mDefaultDisplays[DisplayDevice::DISPLAY_ID_MAIN];
-    d.orientation = DisplayState::eOrientationDefault;
-    displays.add(d);
-    setTransactionState(state, displays, 0);
+    // restore initial conditions (default device unblank, etc)
+    initializeDisplays();
 
     // restart the boot-animation
     startBootAnim();
@@ -431,6 +424,9 @@ status_t SurfaceFlinger::readyToRun()
     // We're now ready to accept clients...
     mReadyToRunBarrier.open();
 
+    // set initial conditions (e.g. unblank default device)
+    initializeDisplays();
+
     // start boot animation
     startBootAnim();
 
@@ -1701,6 +1697,36 @@ status_t SurfaceFlinger::onLayerDestroyed(const wp<LayerBaseClient>& layer)
 
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
+void SurfaceFlinger::onInitializeDisplays() {
+    // reset screen orientation
+    Vector<ComposerState> state;
+    Vector<DisplayState> displays;
+    DisplayState d;
+    d.what = DisplayState::eOrientationChanged;
+    d.token = mDefaultDisplays[DisplayDevice::DISPLAY_ID_MAIN];
+    d.orientation = DisplayState::eOrientationDefault;
+    displays.add(d);
+    setTransactionState(state, displays, 0);
+
+    // XXX: this should init default device to "unblank" and all other devices to "blank"
+    onScreenAcquired();
+}
+
+void SurfaceFlinger::initializeDisplays() {
+    class MessageScreenInitialized : public MessageBase {
+        SurfaceFlinger* flinger;
+    public:
+        MessageScreenInitialized(SurfaceFlinger* flinger) : flinger(flinger) { }
+        virtual bool handler() {
+            flinger->onInitializeDisplays();
+            return true;
+        }
+    };
+    sp<MessageBase> msg = new MessageScreenInitialized(this);
+    postMessageAsync(msg);  // we may be called from main thread, use async message
+}
+
+
 void SurfaceFlinger::onScreenAcquired() {
     ALOGD("Screen about to return, flinger = %p", this);
     sp<const DisplayDevice> hw(getDefaultDisplayDevice()); // XXX: this should be per DisplayDevice
diff --git a/services/surfaceflinger/SurfaceFlinger.h b/services/surfaceflinger/SurfaceFlinger.h
index 1f799068d..b1fe7383c 100644
--- a/services/surfaceflinger/SurfaceFlinger.h
+++ b/services/surfaceflinger/SurfaceFlinger.h
@@ -231,9 +231,11 @@ class SurfaceFlinger : public BinderService<SurfaceFlinger>,
     void signalLayerUpdate();
     void signalRefresh();
 
-    // called on the main thread in response to screenReleased()
+    // called on the main thread in response to initializeDisplays()
+    void onInitializeDisplays();
+    // called on the main thread in response to blank()
     void onScreenReleased();
-    // called on the main thread in response to screenAcquired()
+    // called on the main thread in response to unblank()
     void onScreenAcquired();
 
     void handleMessageTransaction();
@@ -321,6 +323,9 @@ class SurfaceFlinger : public BinderService<SurfaceFlinger>,
     /* ------------------------------------------------------------------------
      * Display and layer stack management
      */
+    // called when starting, or restarting after system_server death
+    void initializeDisplays();
+
     sp<const DisplayDevice> getDisplayDevice(DisplayID dpy) const {
         return mDisplays.valueFor(dpy);
     }