diff --git a/cmds/surfaceflinger/main_surfaceflinger.cpp b/cmds/surfaceflinger/main_surfaceflinger.cpp
index 28e58e4b9..ce7fde0b6 100644
--- a/cmds/surfaceflinger/main_surfaceflinger.cpp
+++ b/cmds/surfaceflinger/main_surfaceflinger.cpp
@@ -20,9 +20,9 @@
 using namespace android;
 
 int main(int argc, char** argv) {
-    SurfaceFlinger::publishAndJoinThreadPool(true);
     // When SF is launched in its own process, limit the number of
     // binder threads to 4.
     ProcessState::self()->setThreadPoolMaxThreadCount(4);
+    SurfaceFlinger::publishAndJoinThreadPool(true);
     return 0;
 }