diff --git a/src/android/app/src/main/java/org/yuzu/yuzu_emu/fragments/EmulationFragment.kt b/src/android/app/src/main/java/org/yuzu/yuzu_emu/fragments/EmulationFragment.kt
index 4ee68df3ff..2c30f94bc7 100644
--- a/src/android/app/src/main/java/org/yuzu/yuzu_emu/fragments/EmulationFragment.kt
+++ b/src/android/app/src/main/java/org/yuzu/yuzu_emu/fragments/EmulationFragment.kt
@@ -1511,7 +1511,9 @@ class EmulationFragment : Fragment(), SurfaceHolder.Callback {
 
             emulationState.newSurface(holder.surface)
         } else {
-            emulationState.newSurface(holder.surface)
+            // Surface changed due to rotation/config change
+            // Only update surface reference, don't trigger state changes
+            emulationState.updateSurfaceReference(holder.surface)
         }
     }
 
@@ -1842,6 +1844,14 @@ class EmulationFragment : Fragment(), SurfaceHolder.Callback {
             }
         }
 
+        @Synchronized
+        fun updateSurfaceReference(surface: Surface?) {
+            this.surface = surface
+            if (this.surface != null && state == State.RUNNING) {
+                NativeLibrary.surfaceChanged(this.surface)
+            }
+        }
+
         @Synchronized
         fun clearSurface() {
             if (surface == null) {