diff --git a/ntoskrnl/io/iomgr/file.c b/ntoskrnl/io/iomgr/file.c
index 8e3b626cdf0..e7633a331f9 100644
--- a/ntoskrnl/io/iomgr/file.c
+++ b/ntoskrnl/io/iomgr/file.c
@@ -1985,6 +1985,7 @@ IopCloseFile(IN PEPROCESS Process OPTIONAL,
             Irp->RequestorMode = KernelMode;
             Irp->Flags = IRP_SYNCHRONOUS_API;
             Irp->Overlay.AsynchronousParameters.UserApcRoutine = NULL;
+            ObReferenceObject(FileObject);
 
             /* Set up Stack Pointer Data */
             StackPtr = IoGetNextIrpStackLocation(Irp);