diff --git a/fs/fscache/cookie.c b/fs/fscache/cookie.c
index 432482edc738..b1870a6c2cd3 100644
--- a/fs/fscache/cookie.c
+++ b/fs/fscache/cookie.c
@@ -437,12 +437,8 @@ void __fscache_relinquish_cookie(struct fscache_cookie *cookie, int retire)
 
 	event = retire ? FSCACHE_OBJECT_EV_RETIRE : FSCACHE_OBJECT_EV_RELEASE;
 
-	/* detach pointers back to the netfs */
 	spin_lock(&cookie->lock);
 
-	cookie->netfs_data	= NULL;
-	cookie->def		= NULL;
-
 	/* break links with all the active objects */
 	while (!hlist_empty(&cookie->backing_objects)) {
 		object = hlist_entry(cookie->backing_objects.first,
@@ -465,6 +461,10 @@ void __fscache_relinquish_cookie(struct fscache_cookie *cookie, int retire)
 			BUG();
 	}
 
+	/* detach pointers back to the netfs */
+	cookie->netfs_data	= NULL;
+	cookie->def		= NULL;
+
 	spin_unlock(&cookie->lock);
 
 	if (cookie->parent) {