diff --git a/demos/cast/src/main/java/com/google/android/exoplayer2/castdemo/MainActivity.java b/demos/cast/src/main/java/com/google/android/exoplayer2/castdemo/MainActivity.java
index 5278776070..9d4c3ec87f 100644
--- a/demos/cast/src/main/java/com/google/android/exoplayer2/castdemo/MainActivity.java
+++ b/demos/cast/src/main/java/com/google/android/exoplayer2/castdemo/MainActivity.java
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ import com.google.android.exoplayer2.ui.PlayerView;
 import com.google.android.gms.cast.CastMediaControlIntent;
 import com.google.android.gms.cast.framework.CastButtonFactory;
 import com.google.android.gms.cast.framework.CastContext;
+import com.google.android.gms.dynamite.DynamiteModule;
 
 /**
  * An activity that plays video using {@link SimpleExoPlayer} and supports casting using ExoPlayer's
@@ -68,7 +69,20 @@ public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity
   public void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
     super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
     // Getting the cast context later than onStart can cause device discovery not to take place.
-    castContext = CastContext.getSharedInstance(this);
+    try {
+      castContext = CastContext.getSharedInstance(this);
+    } catch (RuntimeException e) {
+      Throwable cause = e.getCause();
+      while (cause != null) {
+        if (cause instanceof DynamiteModule.LoadingException) {
+          setContentView(R.layout.cast_context_error_message_layout);
+          return;
+        }
+        cause = cause.getCause();
+      }
+      // Unknown error. We propagate it.
+      throw e;
+    }
 
     setContentView(R.layout.main_activity);
 
@@ -98,6 +112,10 @@ public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity
   @Override
   public void onResume() {
     super.onResume();
+    if (castContext == null) {
+      // There is no Cast context to work with. Do nothing.
+      return;
+    }
     String applicationId = castContext.getCastOptions().getReceiverApplicationId();
     switch (applicationId) {
       case CastMediaControlIntent.DEFAULT_MEDIA_RECEIVER_APPLICATION_ID:
@@ -118,6 +136,10 @@ public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity
   @Override
   public void onPause() {
     super.onPause();
+    if (castContext == null) {
+      // Nothing to release.
+      return;
+    }
     mediaQueueListAdapter.notifyItemRangeRemoved(0, mediaQueueListAdapter.getItemCount());
     mediaQueueList.setAdapter(null);
     playerManager.release();
diff --git a/demos/cast/src/main/res/layout/cast_context_error_message_layout.xml b/demos/cast/src/main/res/layout/cast_context_error_message_layout.xml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..6d3260de38
--- /dev/null
+++ b/demos/cast/src/main/res/layout/cast_context_error_message_layout.xml
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
+<!-- Copyright (C) 2018 The Android Open Source Project
+
+     Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+     you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+     You may obtain a copy of the License at
+
+          http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+
+     Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+     distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+     WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+     See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+     limitations under the License.
+-->
+
+<LinearLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
+  android:layout_width="match_parent"
+  android:layout_height="match_parent">
+
+  <TextView
+    android:id="@+id/textView"
+    android:layout_width="0dp"
+    android:layout_height="match_parent"
+    android:layout_weight="1"
+    android:textSize="20sp"
+    android:gravity="center"
+    android:text="@string/cast_context_error"/>
+</LinearLayout>
diff --git a/demos/cast/src/main/res/values/strings.xml b/demos/cast/src/main/res/values/strings.xml
index 3505c40400..58f5233412 100644
--- a/demos/cast/src/main/res/values/strings.xml
+++ b/demos/cast/src/main/res/values/strings.xml
@@ -22,4 +22,6 @@
 
   <string name="sample_list_dialog_title">Add samples</string>
 
+  <string name="cast_context_error">Failed to get Cast context. Try updating Google Play Services and restart the app.</string>
+
 </resources>