diff --git a/shell/common/vsync_waiter.cc b/shell/common/vsync_waiter.cc
index 40ced727abcfe..41a13db0db460 100644
--- a/shell/common/vsync_waiter.cc
+++ b/shell/common/vsync_waiter.cc
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ void VsyncWaiter::ScheduleSecondaryCallback(uintptr_t id,
       return;
     }
   }
-  AwaitVSync();
+  AwaitVSyncForSecondaryCallback();
 }
 
 void VsyncWaiter::FireCallback(fml::TimePoint frame_start_time,
diff --git a/shell/common/vsync_waiter.h b/shell/common/vsync_waiter.h
index d593c7014b073..8a95960dd72f3 100644
--- a/shell/common/vsync_waiter.h
+++ b/shell/common/vsync_waiter.h
@@ -42,12 +42,29 @@ class VsyncWaiter : public std::enable_shared_from_this<VsyncWaiter> {
 
   VsyncWaiter(TaskRunners task_runners);
 
+  // There are two distinct situations where VsyncWaiter wishes to awaken at
+  // the next vsync. Although the functionality can be the same, the intent is
+  // different, therefore it makes sense to have a method for each intent.
+
+  // The intent of AwaitVSync() is that the Animator wishes to produce a frame.
+  // The underlying implementation can choose to be aware of this intent when
+  // it comes to implementing backpressure and other scheduling invariants.
+  //
   // Implementations are meant to override this method and arm their vsync
   // latches when in response to this invocation. On vsync, they are meant to
   // invoke the |FireCallback| method once (and only once) with the appropriate
   // arguments. This method should not block the current thread.
   virtual void AwaitVSync() = 0;
 
+  // The intent of AwaitVSyncForSecondaryCallback() is simply to wake up at the
+  // next vsync.
+  //
+  // Because there is no association with frame scheduling, underlying
+  // implementations do not need to worry about maintaining invariants or
+  // backpressure. The default implementation is to simply follow the same logic
+  // as AwaitVSync().
+  virtual void AwaitVSyncForSecondaryCallback() { AwaitVSync(); }
+
   void FireCallback(fml::TimePoint frame_start_time,
                     fml::TimePoint frame_target_time,
                     bool pause_secondary_tasks = true);