diff --git a/lib/appium_lib/common/helper.rb b/lib/appium_lib/common/helper.rb
index 7b2a90f4..ca428b4c 100644
--- a/lib/appium_lib/common/helper.rb
+++ b/lib/appium_lib/common/helper.rb
@@ -128,7 +128,9 @@ def px_to_window_rel opts={}
 
     # @private
     def lazy_load_strings
-      @strings_xml ||= app_strings
+      # app strings only works on local apps.
+      # on disk apps (ex: com.android.settings) will error
+      @strings_xml ||= ignore { app_strings } || {}
     end
 
     # Search strings.xml's values for target.