diff --git a/mobile/android/base/gfx/LayerController.java b/mobile/android/base/gfx/LayerController.java
index 33d541bde69..76e7bf9bc3a 100644
--- a/mobile/android/base/gfx/LayerController.java
+++ b/mobile/android/base/gfx/LayerController.java
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ public class LayerController {
 
     /* The new color for the checkerboard. */
     private int mCheckerboardColor;
-    private boolean mCheckerboardShouldShowChecks;
+    private boolean mCheckerboardShouldShowChecks = true;
 
     private boolean mForceRedraw;