diff --git a/sdc/hiframes/boxing.py b/sdc/hiframes/boxing.py
index 6b2a69113..8fd374f76 100644
--- a/sdc/hiframes/boxing.py
+++ b/sdc/hiframes/boxing.py
@@ -296,6 +296,7 @@ def codegen(context, builder, sig, args):
 
         c.pyapi.decref(series_obj)
         c.pyapi.decref(arr_obj)
+        c.context.nrt.incref(builder, df_typ.index, dataframe.index)
 
         # assign array and set unboxed flag
         dataframe.data = builder.insert_value(