diff --git a/xwords4/android/app/src/main/java/org/eehouse/android/xw4/NetStateCache.java b/xwords4/android/app/src/main/java/org/eehouse/android/xw4/NetStateCache.java
index 373c88ce2..198aa5c48 100644
--- a/xwords4/android/app/src/main/java/org/eehouse/android/xw4/NetStateCache.java
+++ b/xwords4/android/app/src/main/java/org/eehouse/android/xw4/NetStateCache.java
@@ -181,8 +181,6 @@ public class NetStateCache {
 
         public PvtBroadcastReceiver()
         {
-            // DbgUtils.assertOnUIThread(); // firing
-            mHandler = new Handler();
             mLastStateSent = s_netAvail;
         }
 
@@ -191,6 +189,11 @@ public class NetStateCache {
         {
             DbgUtils.assertOnUIThread();
 
+            if ( null == mHandler ) {
+                DbgUtils.assertOnUIThread();
+                mHandler = new Handler();
+            }
+
             if ( intent.getAction().
                  equals( ConnectivityManager.CONNECTIVITY_ACTION)) {