diff --git a/gtk/gtklistbox.c b/gtk/gtklistbox.c
index 3a5c6d6b79..ee70f58c80 100644
--- a/gtk/gtklistbox.c
+++ b/gtk/gtklistbox.c
@@ -2200,9 +2200,9 @@ gtk_list_box_update_header (GtkListBox    *box,
     return;
 
   row = g_sequence_get (iter);
+  g_object_ref (row);
+
   before_iter = gtk_list_box_get_previous_visible (box, iter);
-  if (row)
-    g_object_ref (row);
   before_row = NULL;
   if (before_iter != NULL)
     {
@@ -2250,8 +2250,7 @@ gtk_list_box_update_header (GtkListBox    *box,
     }
   if (before_row)
     g_object_unref (before_row);
-  if (row)
-    g_object_unref (row);
+  g_object_unref (row);
 }
 
 static void