diff --git a/src/rpc/virnetserverclient.c b/src/rpc/virnetserverclient.c
index c6ef84c547..7ed6956681 100644
--- a/src/rpc/virnetserverclient.c
+++ b/src/rpc/virnetserverclient.c
@@ -851,12 +851,12 @@ void virNetServerClientDispose(void *obj)
     PROBE(RPC_SERVER_CLIENT_DISPOSE,
           "client=%p", client);
 
-    virObjectUnref(client->identity);
-
     if (client->privateData &&
         client->privateDataFreeFunc)
         client->privateDataFreeFunc(client->privateData);
 
+    virObjectUnref(client->identity);
+
 #if WITH_SASL
     virObjectUnref(client->sasl);
 #endif