diff --git a/demos/main/src/main/java/com/google/android/exoplayer2/demo/SampleChooserActivity.java b/demos/main/src/main/java/com/google/android/exoplayer2/demo/SampleChooserActivity.java
index 5524f98257..7c6dbfc88a 100644
--- a/demos/main/src/main/java/com/google/android/exoplayer2/demo/SampleChooserActivity.java
+++ b/demos/main/src/main/java/com/google/android/exoplayer2/demo/SampleChooserActivity.java
@@ -95,8 +95,16 @@ public class SampleChooserActivity extends Activity
     loaderTask.execute(uris);
 
     // Ping the download service in case it's not running (but should be).
-    startService(
-        new Intent(this, DemoDownloadService.class).setAction(DownloadService.ACTION_INIT));
+    Intent serviceIntent =
+        new Intent(this, DemoDownloadService.class).setAction(DownloadService.ACTION_INIT);
+    // Starting the service in the foreground causes notification flicker if there is no scheduled
+    // action. Starting it in the background throws an exception if the app is in the background too
+    // (e.g. if device screen is locked).
+    try {
+      startService(serviceIntent);
+    } catch (IllegalStateException e) {
+      startForegroundService(serviceIntent);
+    }
   }
 
   @Override