diff --git a/src/add-ons/kernel/file_systems/packagefs/Volume.cpp b/src/add-ons/kernel/file_systems/packagefs/Volume.cpp
index e7dd574b30..f39acd1b3e 100644
--- a/src/add-ons/kernel/file_systems/packagefs/Volume.cpp
+++ b/src/add-ons/kernel/file_systems/packagefs/Volume.cpp
@@ -1805,8 +1805,10 @@ Volume::_PublishShineThroughDirectories()
 		}
 
 		// publish the vnode, so the VFS will find it without asking us
+		directory->AcquireReference();
 		error = PublishVNode(directory);
 		if (error != B_OK) {
+			directory->ReleaseReference();
 			_RemoveNode(directory);
 			RETURN_ERROR(error);
 		}