diff --git a/android/java/MapboxGLAndroidSDK/src/main/java/com/mapbox/mapboxgl/views/MapView.java b/android/java/MapboxGLAndroidSDK/src/main/java/com/mapbox/mapboxgl/views/MapView.java
index d73eb31fb..ae221964b 100644
--- a/android/java/MapboxGLAndroidSDK/src/main/java/com/mapbox/mapboxgl/views/MapView.java
+++ b/android/java/MapboxGLAndroidSDK/src/main/java/com/mapbox/mapboxgl/views/MapView.java
@@ -645,6 +645,9 @@ public class MapView extends FrameLayout implements LocationListener {
             mNativeMapView.setDefaultTransitionDuration(savedInstanceState.getLong(STATE_DEFAULT_TRANSITION_DURATION));
         }
 
+        // Force a check for an access token
+        validateAccessToken(getAccessToken());
+
         mNativeMapView.initializeDisplay();
         mNativeMapView.initializeContext();
 
@@ -682,7 +685,6 @@ public class MapView extends FrameLayout implements LocationListener {
     // Called when we need to create the GL context
     // Must be called from Activity onStart
     public void onStart() {
-        validateAccessToken(getAccessToken());
     }
 
     // Called when we need to terminate the GL context