diff --git a/android/src/main/java/com/brentvatne/exoplayer/ReactExoplayerView.java b/android/src/main/java/com/brentvatne/exoplayer/ReactExoplayerView.java
index 4d9bb31535..f44ed839a9 100644
--- a/android/src/main/java/com/brentvatne/exoplayer/ReactExoplayerView.java
+++ b/android/src/main/java/com/brentvatne/exoplayer/ReactExoplayerView.java
@@ -1686,7 +1686,8 @@ public void onMetadata(@NonNull Metadata metadata) {
                 }
                 TimedMetadata timedMetadata = new TimedMetadata(frame.id, value);
                 metadataArray.add(timedMetadata);
-            } else if (entry instanceof EventMessage eventMessage) {
+            } else if (entry instanceof EventMessage) {
+                EventMessage eventMessage = (EventMessage) entry;
                 TimedMetadata timedMetadata = new TimedMetadata(eventMessage.schemeIdUri, eventMessage.value);
                 metadataArray.add(timedMetadata);
             } else {