diff --git a/src/node_zlib.cc b/src/node_zlib.cc
index 5c8578d86e8..e87a704ce58 100644
--- a/src/node_zlib.cc
+++ b/src/node_zlib.cc
@@ -307,8 +307,9 @@ class ZCtx : public ObjectWrap {
     MakeCallback(ctx->handle_, onerror_sym, ARRAY_SIZE(args), args);
 
     // no hope of rescue.
+    if (ctx->write_in_progress_)
+      ctx->Unref();
     ctx->write_in_progress_ = false;
-    ctx->Unref();
     if (ctx->pending_close_)
       ctx->Close();
   }