diff --git a/res/res_pjsip_pubsub.c b/res/res_pjsip_pubsub.c
index f3504ae44b..c9e8834c62 100644
--- a/res/res_pjsip_pubsub.c
+++ b/res/res_pjsip_pubsub.c
@@ -2032,7 +2032,10 @@ int ast_sip_subscription_notify(struct ast_sip_subscription *sub, void *notify_d
 	if (sub->tree->notification_batch_interval) {
 		return schedule_notification(sub->tree);
 	} else {
+		/* See the note in pubsub_on_rx_refresh() for why sub->tree is refbumped here */
+		ao2_ref(sub->tree, +1);
 		return send_notify(sub->tree, 0);
+		ao2_ref(sub->tree, -1);
 	}
 }