diff --git a/bgpd/bgpd.c b/bgpd/bgpd.c
index 56e4322..69ab7da 100644
--- a/bgpd/bgpd.c
+++ b/bgpd/bgpd.c
@@ -736,8 +736,6 @@
 {
   assert (peer->status == Deleted);
 
-  bgp_unlock(peer->bgp);
-
   /* this /ought/ to have been done already through bgp_stop earlier,
    * but just to be sure.. 
    */
@@ -782,6 +780,9 @@
     XFREE(MTYPE_TMP, peer->notify.data);
   
   bgp_sync_delete (peer);
+
+  bgp_unlock(peer->bgp);
+
   memset (peer, 0, sizeof (struct peer));
   
   XFREE (MTYPE_BGP_PEER, peer);