diff --git a/ReactAndroid/src/main/java/com/facebook/react/ReactInstanceManager.java b/ReactAndroid/src/main/java/com/facebook/react/ReactInstanceManager.java
index 73ff8be37ce..ec98de63758 100644
--- a/ReactAndroid/src/main/java/com/facebook/react/ReactInstanceManager.java
+++ b/ReactAndroid/src/main/java/com/facebook/react/ReactInstanceManager.java
@@ -337,6 +337,8 @@ public class ReactInstanceManager {
   @ThreadConfined(UI)
   public void createReactContextInBackground() {
     Log.d(ReactConstants.TAG, "ReactInstanceManager.createReactContextInBackground()");
+    UiThreadUtil
+        .assertOnUiThread(); // Assert before setting mHasStartedCreatingInitialContext = true
     if (!mHasStartedCreatingInitialContext) {
       mHasStartedCreatingInitialContext = true;
       recreateReactContextInBackgroundInner();