diff --git a/fs/smb/server/oplock.c b/fs/smb/server/oplock.c
index 894b53b0cf8c..f103b1bd0400 100644
--- a/fs/smb/server/oplock.c
+++ b/fs/smb/server/oplock.c
@@ -724,8 +724,8 @@ static int smb2_oplock_break_noti(struct oplock_info *opinfo)
 	work->conn = conn;
 	work->sess = opinfo->sess;
 
+	ksmbd_conn_r_count_inc(conn);
 	if (opinfo->op_state == OPLOCK_ACK_WAIT) {
-		ksmbd_conn_r_count_inc(conn);
 		INIT_WORK(&work->work, __smb2_oplock_break_noti);
 		ksmbd_queue_work(work);
 
@@ -833,8 +833,8 @@ static int smb2_lease_break_noti(struct oplock_info *opinfo)
 	work->conn = conn;
 	work->sess = opinfo->sess;
 
+	ksmbd_conn_r_count_inc(conn);
 	if (opinfo->op_state == OPLOCK_ACK_WAIT) {
-		ksmbd_conn_r_count_inc(conn);
 		INIT_WORK(&work->work, __smb2_lease_break_noti);
 		ksmbd_queue_work(work);
 		wait_for_break_ack(opinfo);