diff --git a/CHANGES b/CHANGES
index 21553d9502..964139f127 100644
--- a/CHANGES
+++ b/CHANGES
@@ -2,6 +2,9 @@
 
 Changes with Apache 2.4.20
 
+  *) mod_proxy_express: Fix possible use of DB handle after close.  PR 59230.
+     [Petr <pgajdos suse.cz>]
+     
   *) core/util_script: relax alphanumeric filter of enviroment variable names
      on Windows to allow '(' and ')' for passing PROGRAMFILES(X86) et.al.
      unadulterated in 64 bit versions of Windows. PR 46751.  
diff --git a/STATUS b/STATUS
index 3728063c90..987a2ddd94 100644
--- a/STATUS
+++ b/STATUS
@@ -113,11 +113,6 @@ RELEASE SHOWSTOPPERS:
 PATCHES ACCEPTED TO BACKPORT FROM TRUNK:
   [ start all new proposals below, under PATCHES PROPOSED. ]
 
-  *) mod_proxy_express: Fix possible use of DB handle after close.  PR 59230.
-     trunk patch: http://svn.apache.org/r1737014
-     2.4.x patch: trunk works (modulo CHANGES)
-     +1: ylavic, trawick, wrowe
-
   *) core: Do not read .htaccess if AllowOverride and AllowOverrideList
      are "None". PR 58528.
      trunk patch: http://svn.apache.org/r1737114
diff --git a/modules/proxy/mod_proxy_express.c b/modules/proxy/mod_proxy_express.c
index 9904fbbd7e..ec4b94a67d 100644
--- a/modules/proxy/mod_proxy_express.c
+++ b/modules/proxy/mod_proxy_express.c
@@ -145,13 +145,11 @@ static int xlate_name(request_rec *r)
     key.dsize = strlen(key.dptr);
 
     rv = apr_dbm_fetch(db, key, &val);
-    apr_dbm_close(db);
-    if (rv != APR_SUCCESS) {
-        return DECLINED;
+    if (rv == APR_SUCCESS) {
+        backend = apr_pstrmemdup(r->pool, val.dptr, val.dsize);
     }
-
-    backend = apr_pstrmemdup(r->pool, val.dptr, val.dsize);
-    if (!backend) {
+    apr_dbm_close(db);
+    if (rv != APR_SUCCESS || !backend) {
         return DECLINED;
     }