diff --git a/libraries/transformer/src/androidTest/java/androidx/media3/transformer/TransformerEndToEndTest.java b/libraries/transformer/src/androidTest/java/androidx/media3/transformer/TransformerEndToEndTest.java
index a03e78550d..d7be5c8d52 100644
--- a/libraries/transformer/src/androidTest/java/androidx/media3/transformer/TransformerEndToEndTest.java
+++ b/libraries/transformer/src/androidTest/java/androidx/media3/transformer/TransformerEndToEndTest.java
@@ -2356,11 +2356,10 @@ public class TransformerEndToEndTest {
     Transformer transformer =
         new Transformer.Builder(context)
             .setEncoderFactory(
-                new AndroidTestUtil.ForceEncodeEncoderFactory(
-                    new DefaultEncoderFactory.Builder(context)
-                        .setRequestedAudioEncoderSettings(
-                            new AudioEncoderSettings.Builder().setProfile(AACObjectHE).build())
-                        .build()))
+                new DefaultEncoderFactory.Builder(context)
+                    .setRequestedAudioEncoderSettings(
+                        new AudioEncoderSettings.Builder().setProfile(AACObjectHE).build())
+                    .build())
             .build();
     MediaItem mediaItem = new MediaItem.Builder().setUri(MP4_ASSET.uri).build();
     EditedMediaItem editedMediaItem =
@@ -2392,11 +2391,10 @@ public class TransformerEndToEndTest {
         new Transformer.Builder(context)
             .setMuxerFactory(new InAppMuxer.Factory.Builder().build())
             .setEncoderFactory(
-                new AndroidTestUtil.ForceEncodeEncoderFactory(
-                    new DefaultEncoderFactory.Builder(context)
-                        .setRequestedAudioEncoderSettings(
-                            new AudioEncoderSettings.Builder().setBitrate(requestedBitrate).build())
-                        .build()))
+                new DefaultEncoderFactory.Builder(context)
+                    .setRequestedAudioEncoderSettings(
+                        new AudioEncoderSettings.Builder().setBitrate(requestedBitrate).build())
+                    .build())
             .build();
     MediaItem mediaItem = new MediaItem.Builder().setUri(MP4_ASSET.uri).build();
     EditedMediaItem editedMediaItem =
diff --git a/libraries/transformer/src/main/java/androidx/media3/transformer/DefaultEncoderFactory.java b/libraries/transformer/src/main/java/androidx/media3/transformer/DefaultEncoderFactory.java
index 3b26bff9f2..35b3165937 100644
--- a/libraries/transformer/src/main/java/androidx/media3/transformer/DefaultEncoderFactory.java
+++ b/libraries/transformer/src/main/java/androidx/media3/transformer/DefaultEncoderFactory.java
@@ -391,6 +391,11 @@ public final class DefaultEncoderFactory implements Codec.EncoderFactory {
         /* outputSurface= */ null);
   }
 
+  @Override
+  public boolean audioNeedsEncoding() {
+    return !requestedAudioEncoderSettings.equals(AudioEncoderSettings.DEFAULT);
+  }
+
   @Override
   public boolean videoNeedsEncoding() {
     return !requestedVideoEncoderSettings.equals(VideoEncoderSettings.DEFAULT);