diff --git a/res/res_rtp_asterisk.c b/res/res_rtp_asterisk.c
index f3f6b4b280..678926d5d7 100644
--- a/res/res_rtp_asterisk.c
+++ b/res/res_rtp_asterisk.c
@@ -3117,8 +3117,8 @@ static int ast_rtcp_write(const void *data)
 		/*
 		 * Not being rescheduled.
 		 */
-		ao2_ref(instance, -1);
 		rtp->rtcp->schedid = -1;
+		ao2_ref(instance, -1);
 	}
 
 	return res;