diff --git a/src/vol/ihandle.c b/src/vol/ihandle.c
index e1c2ba3428..1bf19589aa 100644
--- a/src/vol/ihandle.c
+++ b/src/vol/ihandle.c
@@ -871,6 +871,7 @@ ih_reallyclose(IHandle_t * ihP)
     ihP->ih_refcnt++;   /* must not disappear over unlock */
     if (ihP->ih_synced) {
 	FdHandle_t *fdP;
+        ihP->ih_synced = 0;
 	IH_UNLOCK;
 
 	fdP = IH_OPEN(ihP);
@@ -883,7 +884,6 @@ ih_reallyclose(IHandle_t * ihP)
     }
 
     osi_Assert(ihP->ih_refcnt > 0);
-    ihP->ih_synced = 0;
 
     ih_fdclose(ihP);