diff --git a/dial_sync.go b/dial_sync.go
index 734901fc..69739e54 100644
--- a/dial_sync.go
+++ b/dial_sync.go
@@ -36,7 +36,6 @@ type activeDial struct {
 }
 
 func (dr *activeDial) wait(ctx context.Context) (*Conn, error) {
-	dr.incref()
 	defer dr.decref()
 	select {
 	case <-dr.waitch:
@@ -97,6 +96,9 @@ func (ds *DialSync) getActiveDial(p peer.ID) *activeDial {
 		go actd.start(adctx)
 	}
 
+	// increase ref count before dropping dialsLk
+	actd.incref()
+
 	return actd
 }