diff --git a/gtk/gtkwidget.c b/gtk/gtkwidget.c
index 1850c595bd..d1395e3b44 100644
--- a/gtk/gtkwidget.c
+++ b/gtk/gtkwidget.c
@@ -5553,6 +5553,7 @@ gtk_widget_unrealize (GtkWidget *widget)
 {
   g_return_if_fail (GTK_IS_WIDGET (widget));
 
+  g_object_ref (widget);
   gtk_widget_push_verify_invariants (widget);
 
   if (widget->priv->has_shape_mask)
@@ -5563,8 +5564,6 @@ gtk_widget_unrealize (GtkWidget *widget)
 
   if (gtk_widget_get_realized (widget))
     {
-      g_object_ref (widget);
-
       if (widget->priv->mapped)
         gtk_widget_unmap (widget);
 
@@ -5574,11 +5573,10 @@ gtk_widget_unrealize (GtkWidget *widget)
       g_signal_emit (widget, widget_signals[UNREALIZE], 0);
       g_assert (!widget->priv->mapped);
       gtk_widget_set_realized (widget, FALSE);
-
-      g_object_unref (widget);
     }
 
   gtk_widget_pop_verify_invariants (widget);
+  g_object_unref (widget);
 }
 
 /*****************************************