diff --git a/liboverlay/overlayLib.cpp b/liboverlay/overlayLib.cpp
index ba98e23..cf9f157 100755
--- a/liboverlay/overlayLib.cpp
+++ b/liboverlay/overlayLib.cpp
@@ -438,6 +438,7 @@ bool Overlay::startChannel(const overlay_buffer_info& info, int fbnum,
                                                        format3D, zorder, flags);
     if (!mChannelUP) {
         LOGE("startChannel for fb%d failed", fbnum);
+        mState = -1;
         return mChannelUP;
     }
     bool secure = flags & SECURE_OVERLAY_SESSION;