diff --git a/runtime/hidden_api.cc b/runtime/hidden_api.cc
index c146daa..2d3493d 100644
--- a/runtime/hidden_api.cc
+++ b/runtime/hidden_api.cc
@@ -361,9 +361,11 @@
                                   hiddenapi::ApiList api_list,
                                   AccessMethod access_method) {
   DCHECK(member != nullptr);
-
   Runtime* runtime = Runtime::Current();
+
   EnforcementPolicy policy = runtime->GetHiddenApiEnforcementPolicy();
+  DCHECK(policy != EnforcementPolicy::kDisabled)
+      << "Should never enter this function when access checks are completely disabled";
 
   const bool deny_access =
       (policy == EnforcementPolicy::kEnabled) &&
diff --git a/runtime/hidden_api.h b/runtime/hidden_api.h
index a0eeae2..1a5e010 100644
--- a/runtime/hidden_api.h
+++ b/runtime/hidden_api.h
@@ -311,6 +311,11 @@
     return false;
   }
 
+  // Exit early if access checks are completely disabled.
+  if (Runtime::Current()->GetHiddenApiEnforcementPolicy() == EnforcementPolicy::kDisabled) {
+    return false;
+  }
+
   // Check if caller is exempted from access checks.
   // This can be *very* expensive. Save it for last.
   if (fn_get_access_context().IsTrusted()) {
diff --git a/runtime/hidden_api_test.cc b/runtime/hidden_api_test.cc
index 595f077..1f83c05 100644
--- a/runtime/hidden_api_test.cc
+++ b/runtime/hidden_api_test.cc
@@ -100,13 +100,6 @@
 TEST_F(HiddenApiTest, CheckGetActionFromRuntimeFlags) {
   ScopedObjectAccess soa(self_);
 
-  runtime_->SetHiddenApiEnforcementPolicy(hiddenapi::EnforcementPolicy::kDisabled);
-  ASSERT_EQ(ShouldDenyAccess(hiddenapi::ApiList::Whitelist()), false);
-  ASSERT_EQ(ShouldDenyAccess(hiddenapi::ApiList::Greylist()), false);
-  ASSERT_EQ(ShouldDenyAccess(hiddenapi::ApiList::GreylistMaxP()), false);
-  ASSERT_EQ(ShouldDenyAccess(hiddenapi::ApiList::GreylistMaxO()), false);
-  ASSERT_EQ(ShouldDenyAccess(hiddenapi::ApiList::Blacklist()), false);
-
   runtime_->SetHiddenApiEnforcementPolicy(hiddenapi::EnforcementPolicy::kJustWarn);
   ASSERT_EQ(ShouldDenyAccess(hiddenapi::ApiList::Whitelist()), false);
   ASSERT_EQ(ShouldDenyAccess(hiddenapi::ApiList::Greylist()), false);