diff --git a/torrentfile.c b/torrentfile.c
index ca61d8e..ad3e775 100644
--- a/torrentfile.c
+++ b/torrentfile.c
@@ -77,9 +77,6 @@ struct torrent_file * find_create_torrent(const char *fullpath)
 
 int destroy_torrent(struct torrent_file *torrent)
 {
-	/* remove us from list */
-	list_del(&torrent->list);
-
 	/* check if we're still seeding, and deferr the destroy after sigchld */
 	if (torrent->child != NULL) {
 		torrent->destroy = 1;
@@ -89,6 +86,9 @@ int destroy_torrent(struct torrent_file *torrent)
 		return 0;
 	}
 
+	/* remove us from list */
+	list_del(&torrent->list);
+
 	free(torrent->name);
 	free(torrent);
 	return 0;