diff --git a/starboard/android/apk/app/src/main/java/dev/cobalt/media/MediaCodecBridge.java b/starboard/android/apk/app/src/main/java/dev/cobalt/media/MediaCodecBridge.java
index 2ae4b2306e15..64b1c545985b 100644
--- a/starboard/android/apk/app/src/main/java/dev/cobalt/media/MediaCodecBridge.java
+++ b/starboard/android/apk/app/src/main/java/dev/cobalt/media/MediaCodecBridge.java
@@ -818,6 +818,9 @@ public static void createVideoMediaCodecBridge(
   @UsedByNative
   public void release() {
     try {
+      mMediaCodec.setCallback(null);
+      mCallback = null;
+
       String codecName = mMediaCodec.getName();
       Log.w(TAG, "calling MediaCodec.release() on " + codecName);
       mMediaCodec.release();