diff --git a/sched/sched/sched_smp.c b/sched/sched/sched_smp.c
index f43cb08ac7..94aab39130 100644
--- a/sched/sched/sched_smp.c
+++ b/sched/sched/sched_smp.c
@@ -137,6 +137,14 @@ int nxsched_smp_call_handler(int irq, FAR void *context,
       ret = call_data->func(call_data->arg);
 
       flags = enter_critical_section();
+      if (spin_is_locked(&call_data->lock))
+        {
+          if (--call_data->refcount == 0)
+            {
+              spin_unlock(&call_data->lock);
+            }
+        }
+
       if (call_data->cookie != NULL)
         {
           if (ret < 0)
@@ -146,14 +154,6 @@ int nxsched_smp_call_handler(int irq, FAR void *context,
 
           nxsem_post(&call_data->cookie->sem);
         }
-
-      if (spin_is_locked(&call_data->lock))
-        {
-          if (--call_data->refcount == 0)
-            {
-              spin_unlock(&call_data->lock);
-            }
-        }
     }
 
   up_cpu_paused_restore();